Resistance to social influence

Question 1

Locus of control (Rotter 1966)

Answer 1

The locus of control is a measurement of an individual’s sense of control over their lives, i.e to what extent they feel that events in their lives are under their own personal control, versus under the control of other external powers like fate.

Question 2

Internality

Answer 2

Individuals tend to believe that they are responsible for their behaviour and experience rather than external force.

Question 3

Externality

Answer 3

Individuals who tend to believe that they are responsible for their behaviour and experience caused by events outside their control

Question 4

Social Support (AO1)

Answer 4

The presence of others can help us resist conforming or obeying

Question 5

Spector (1983) Locus of control

Answer 5

Measured locus of control and predisposition to normative and informational influence in 157 undergraduate students. Found a correlation between locus of control and predisposition to normative social influence, with externals more likely to conform to this form of influence than internals. Found no relationship with informational influence.

Question 6

Asch (1956) Social support in reducing the social influence - AO3

Answer 6

One of the confederates was instructed to give the correct answer throughout. In this variation, the rate of conformity dropped to 5.5%. This demonstrates that if the real participant has support for their belief (social support), they are more likely to resist the pressure to conform.

Question 7

Internal locus of control

Answer 7

Individuals believe that their behaviour is not influenced by events outside their control

Question 8

Spector (1983) AO3 supporting locus of control

Answer 8

Used Rotter’s locus of control scale to determine whether locus of control is associated with conformity. From 157 students, Spector found individuals with a high internal locus of control conformed less in situations of normative social influence. No difference was found for informational social influence.

Question 9

AO2 Jack p.2

Answer 9

This shows that Jack’s opinion is correct to a certain extent as a ‘confident personality’ with an internal locus of control is resistant to normative social influence. However, it is not entirely correct regarding informational social influence, where a person conforms to be correct.

Question 10

Rees and Wallace (2015)

Answer 10

Conducted a study that showed social support provided by friends helps adolescents resist conformity pressures from the majority.

Question 11

What was the procedure of Rees and Wallace (2015)’s study?

Answer 11

Individuals with a majority of friends who drank alcohol were significantly more likely to binge drink over 12 months. However, individuals resisted pressure when a friend also resisted drinking.

Question 12

Sarah Social support (AO2)

Answer 12

Sarah’s statement relates to social support—the idea that people resist social influence if they have someone who supports their point of view. An ally boosts confidence and breaks group unanimity.

Question 13

Sarah Social support (AO2) Pt.2

Answer 13

This shows that Sarah’s view that ‘resistance to social influence depends on the pressure of others’ is supported by research. Rees and Wallace’s study shows pressure to conform decreases when another group member resists.