resistence to social influence

• there are 2 kinds of resistence to social influence:

  1. social support.
  2. locus of control.
• social support is the perception that an individual has assistance available from others and are part of a supportive network.
• SOCIAL SUPPORT:

  • pressure to conform can be reduced if another present is not conforming - a dissenter.
  • dont have to give the right answer, just disagree with the majority.
  • seen in Asch, conformity dropped by a quarter with the presence of a dissenter than what it was when it was unanimous.
• STRENGTH OF SOCIAL SUPPORT - RESEARCH SUPPORT - RESISTENCE TO CONFORMITY:

  • Levine 1971.
  • found conformity decreased when there was a dissenter in an Asch-type study.
  • this happened even if the dissenter wore thick glasses and said they had vision issues.
  • supports that resistence is noy just about following what someone else says but it allows them to be free from the pressure of the group.
• STRENGTH - RESEARCH SUPPORT - RESISTENCE TO OBEDIENCE:

  • Gamson - carried out a study where participants were asked to consider the case of a petrol station employee who behaved immorally.
  • then asked to sign a form to say that the company could use the videotape.
  • 33 groups - 29 groups refused to sign the form.
  • suggested that peer support is linked to disobedience.
• Locus of control was established by Rotter, two kinds:

  1. internal locus of control.
  2. external locus of control.
• the internal locus of control says people believe the outcomes of their actions are dependent on what they do.
• the external locus of control says the outcomes of their actions are dependent on the events outside of their personl control.
• locus of control is not one or the other, but rather a scale.

  high internal - low internal - low external - high external.
• • those with an internal locus of control are more likely to be able to resist the pressures to conform or obey.
  • this is because they take personal responsibilty for their actions and base their decisions on their own beliefs and morals.
• LIMITATION of LOC - CONTRADICTORY RESEARCH:

  • twenge 2004.
  • found that not all research supports the link between LOC & resistence.
  • analysed data from american studies over a 40 year period - showed people have become more resistant to obedience but also more external.
  • if resistence was linked to an internal LOC, would have expected people to become more internal.
• LIMITATION OF LOC - LIMITED ROLE OF LOC:

  • role of LOC in resisting social influence may have been exaggerated.
  • rotter, the theorist behind LOC, points out that the LOC only only comes out into play in novel situations.
  • very little influence over our behaviour in familair situations where our previous experiences will alwasy be more important.
• STRENGTH OF LOC - RESEARCH SUPPORT:

  • holland 1967.
  • repeated milgram's study and measured whether participants were internals or externals.
  • found that 37% of internals showed some resistence and didnt continue to the highest shock.
  • only 23% of externals did not continue.
  • supports the validity of the LOC explanation of resistence.