Explanations for resistance to social influence Flashcards
How does social support decrease conformity?
It is less likely when a dissenter breaks the unanimity of the majority
How does social support decrease obedience?
It is less likely when a disobedient role model challenges the legitimacy of authority so the agentic state is less likely
What do people with an internal locus of control believe?
They are in control of what happens
What do people with an external locus of control believe?
What happens to them is due to chance of luck
What is locus of control?
It is a scale and people vary in their position with high internal at one end and high external at the other
What effect does locus of control have on resistance?
Internals are more able to resist pressure to conform or obey, may have more self-confidence and less need for social approval from others whereas externals are vulnerable the opinions and behaviours of others
What is research evidence for resisting conformity and for social support?
Teen Fresh Start USA was an 8 week programme to help pregnant 14-19 girls to resist peer pressure to smoke. Half the girls had a slightly older buddy who didn’t smoke and they were significantly less likely to smoke than those without
What is research for resisting obedience and for locus of control?
In a replication of Milgram’s baseline study, 37% of participants with an internal locus of control did not continue to the highest shock level compared to 23% with an external locus of control
What is evidence for resisting obedience and against locus of control?
In a meta-analysis covering studies from 1960-2002, over this time span, people became more resistant to obedience but also more external
What is evidence for resisting obedience and for social support?
Participants, in groups, were instructed to produce false evidence to help an oil company run a campaign against a rival company. 88% of groups rebelled and did not obey
