Resistance to Social Influence

• What is locus of control?

  refers to a person's perception of personal control over theirown behaviour
• What do people with high internal locus of control have?

  believes their life is determined by their own efforts and decisions.
• How does external loc relate to social influence?

   more likely to be influenced by others as they don’tbelieve they exercise personal control over their lives
• External LOC characteristics

  The belief that life is determined by external/environmental factors, such as luck. 
• How does internal LOC relate to social influence?

  • High internals actively seek out information which will help thempersonally and are less likely to rely on others.They are more achievement orientated.They can resist pressure from others
• Characteristics of internal locus of control.

   High level of personal control over their lives and behaviour. Takepersonal responsibility for it. 
• What is social support?

  presence of people who resist pressures to conform or obey.These people act as models and show others it is possible to defer from the norms.
• What is resistance to social influence?

  the ability to resist the social pressure to conform to the majority or obey authority. This refers to both situational and dispositional factors.
• Albrecht et al(2006)- Teen Fresh Start USA, 8 week programme to prevent pregnant adults 14-19 resist peer pressure to smoke.Adults who had a 'buddy' became less likely to smoke by the end of the study, than control who didnt.
• What research support correlates with LOC?(+)

  Holland-repeated Milgram baseline procedure,37% of internals did not continue to highest shock level,23% externals didn't continue.
• Provide evidence that challenges the link between LOC and resistance(-)

  Twenge et al(2004)-analysed data from American Locus of control studies conducted over a 40 year time span(1960-2002) and found that over this time people became more resistant to obedience but also more external.