Resistance to SI: Locus Of Control

• LOC refers to sense we have about what directs events in our lives. Rotter proposed LOC - a concept concerned with internal vs external control
• Internal LOC - believe that they are mostly responsible for what happens to them
• External LOC - believe that things happen without their own control
• There is a continuum in way people differ in explaining their successes and failures
• Ppl with internal LOC are more likely to resist pressure to conform or obey:

  • Someone takes personal responsibility for their decisions and own beliefs
  • Ppl with high LOC are more self-confident, more achievement-orientated, have higher intelligence and less need for social approval - leads to greater resistance to SI
• Strength - Research support:

  • Holland repeated Milgram's study and measured whether p's were internals or externals.
  • 37% of internals did not continue to highest shock leave (independence).
  • 23% of externals did not continue
  • As internas showed greater resistance, this support increases validity of LOC explanation andour confidence that it can explain resistance.
• Weakness - Role of LOC may be exaggerated

  • Rotter et al found LOC is only important in new situations
  • Little influence in familiar situations where previous experiences are always more important
  • If you have conformed or obeyed in past, chances are you will again regardless of situation or whether u have high internal or external LOC