Resistance to social influence

Question 1

Social support

Answer 1

• most important aspect of social support is that it breaks unanimity of the majority - easier to resist
• difficult to stand against authority because obedient behaviour of others makes a harmful action appear acceptable
• ally helps because more confident to resist temptation to obey if ally will join
• Asch - unanimity factor - when have ally, less likely to conform as it usually difficult to go against crowd 33% - 5.5%
• Milgram - participants in team of 3, when 1 resisted, all did - ally - 65% - 10%

Question 2

locus of control

Answer 2

• rotter 1966
• dispositional personality trait refers to persons perception of persons control over their own behaviour
• measure using questionnaires and individuals are placed along a continuum scale of internal or external locus of control
• INTERNAL - tend to believe they are responsible for behaviour and experience - autonomous
• EXTERNAL - behaviour and experience is out of their control - based on luck or fate

Question 3

external nature

Answer 3

• base things on what others tell them or believe what happens to them is luck
• most likely to be passive, take less responsibility and accept influence of others

Question 4

internal nature

Answer 4

• believe what happens is a consequence of their own ability and effort
• more likely to be independent - rely less on opinions - better at resisting social influence
• actively seek information
• achievement orientated , more likely lead than follow
• avoid coercion
• resist interrogation better (prisoner of war camp)