Evaluation of Social Support

Question 1

There is research to support that disobedient models are a powerful source of social support. (Evidence)

Answer 1

Allen found conformity was reduced on a task involving visual judgments, even when the model wore thick glasses

Question 2

There is research to support that disobedient models are a powerful source of social support. (Explain)

Answer 2

Suggests the theory has validity as several studies on social support show that in times of social influence, allies who support the minority can reduce the pressure people feel to conform

Question 3

Another strength of the theory of social support is that by creating group norms of disobedience people are less likely to conform. (Evidence)

Answer 3

Milgram found that when 2 confederates were paired with the real participant and left early on 10% of participants gave maximum voltage

Question 4

Another strength of the theory of social support is that by creating group norms of disobedience people are less likely to conform. (Explanation)

Answer 4

Suggests the studies are valid as the variation on his original experiment caused a change in results, therefore indicating that the presence of allies’ increases disobedience

Question 5

A strength of the experiment is that there is increased resistance to social influence through social support. (Evidence)

Answer 5

Mullen found that when participants saw a disobedient model cross the road illegally, they were more likely to do the same themselves

Question 6

A strength of the experiment is that there is increased resistance to social influence through social support. (Explanation)

Answer 6

This suggests that the theory is valid as it is support by ecologically valid research as it measures people’s real reactions to disobedience.