LOC (resistance)

Question 1

Supporting evidence from conformity research -

Answer 1

Research supports the idea that individuals with an internal locus of control are less likely to conform. Spector (1983) used Rotter’s locus of control scale to determine whether locus of control is associated with conformity. From 157 students, Spector found that individuals with an internal locus of control were less likely to conform than those with an external locus of control. However, this was only in situations of normative social influence, where individuals conform to be accepted. There was no difference between the two groups for informational social influence. This suggests that locus of control is more influential when conforming due to Normative social influence than informational social influence.

Question 2

Supporting evidence form conformity research

Answer 2

There may be other factors such as social responsibility that may also contribute to individuals resisting social influence. Elms and Milgram set out to investigate the disobedient participants in Milgram’s experiments, by follow up interviews with a sample of participants. They found that disobedient participants had an internal locus of control and scored higher on a social responsibility scale. Therefore, it appears that locus of control and social responsibility may be important factors in an individual’s ability to disobey orders or to defy social norms (show independent behaviour). This suggests that other factors need to be considered when explaining resisting social influence.