Resistance to social influence

Question 1

What is resistance to social influence?

Answer 1

The ability of people withstand social pressure to conform or obey

Question 2

What is social support?

Answer 2

The presence of a dissenter can encourage others to do the same

Question 3

What is locus of control?

Answer 3

Refers to the sense we have about what directs events in our lives

Question 4

How does Asch’s study demonstrate resisting conformity?

Answer 4

The presence of a dissenting confederate enables naive participant to be free to follow their own conscience

Question 5

How does Milgram’s study demonstrate resisting obedience?

Answer 5

Rate of obedience fell from 65% to 10% when the genuine participant was joined by a disobedient confederate

Question 6

Who introduced the concept of Locus of Control (LOC)

Answer 6

Rotter (1966)

Question 7

What are the two types of LOCs?

Answer 7

• Internals
• Externals

Question 8

What do internals believe?

Answer 8

Things that happen to them are largely controlled by themselves

Question 9

What do externals believe?

Answer 9

Things that happen are outside of their control

Question 10

What is the LOC continuum?

Answer 10

A scale- high external on one end, high internal on the other

Question 11

STRENGTH-
I- Real world research support

Social support

Answer 11

D- Albrecht et al- evaluated Teen Fresh Start USA (programme to help pregnant teens resist pressure to smoke). Social support was provided by an older buddy. Teens with a buddy were less likely to smoke than a control group
E- Shows social support helps young people resist social influence

Question 12

STRENGTH-
I- Research support for dissenting peers

Social support

Answer 12

D- Gamson et al’s participants were told to produce evdience that would be used to help an oil company run a smear campaign. Found higher levels of resistance in study than in Milgram’s study. Groups could discuss- social support. 29/33 rebelled
E- Shows peer support can lead to disobedience by undermining legitimacy of an authority figure

Question 13

EVALUATION EXTRA-
I- Social support explanation

Social support

Answer 13

D- Further research support comes from Allen and Levine who found that 64% of participants refused to conform in an Asch-style study in the presence of 1 dissenter. Only 3% resisted with no dissenter. However, the number dropped to 36% when the supporter had poor eyesight- many participants concluded the individual could not properly see lines, so must be incorrect
E- Social support is a valid explanation but studies show that resistance drops when individuals believe the support offered is not helpful

Question 14

What are the strengths for social support?

Answer 14

• Real world explanation
• Research support

Question 15

STRENGTH-
I- Research support

Locus of control

Answer 15

D- Holland repeated Milgram’s baseline study and measured whether participants were internals or externals. 37% of internals did not continue vs 23% of externals
E- Shows resistance is related to LOC- increased validity

Question 16

LIMITATION-
I- Contradictory research

Locus on control

Answer 16

D- Twenge et al analysed data from American LOC studies over a 40 year period. Data showed that over time, people became more resistant, but also more external- suprising outcome
E- Suggests LOC is an invalid explanation

Question 17

EVALUATION EXTRA-
I- Limited role of LOC

Locus of control

Answer 17

D- Research evidence supports the link between high levels of resistance and an internal LOC. But, Rotter says this link only exists in new situations, so is irrelevant in situations that are familiar. E.g: if you have refused to conform with friends in the past in specific situations, you will likely continue doing so even if you have an external LOC
E- LOC is a valid explanation but is limited as it is only applicable in new situations

Question 18

Is higher resistance associated with internals or externals?

Answer 18

Internals