resistance to social influence

• Resisting conformity
• Resisting obedience
• Social support in resisting conformity

  The presence of an ally can significantly reduce conformity rates
• The presence of an ally in Asch's study

  Caused conformity rates to plummet from 36% to 6%
• The ally does not need to give the correct answer as long as they are dissenting
• Participants resisted conformity most when it was perceived that the dissenter had good eyesight
• Conformity resistance rates based on eyesight

  • No supporter 3%
  • Good eyesight 64%
  • Bad eyesight 36%
• In Milgram's study, the presence of an ally caused obedience to drop from 65% to 10%
• 88% of groups of participants resisted obedience in Gamson et al's study
• The women stood up despite threats from the Gestapo about opening fire if they did not disperse
• Consequently, the women stayed and the Jews were set free
• These women defied authority together as they gave each other confidence and courage
• Independent Behaviour


  A person's perception of their personal control over their behaviour
• Locus of control


  Can be either internal or external
• This is a continuum
• People with high internal locus of control


  Are more likely to resist
• People with high external locus of control


  Are less likely to resist