Resistance To Social Influence - Evaluation

Question 1

What are strengths of resistance to conformity?

Answer 1

Research supports dissenters in resisting conformity such as Allen and Levine that found conformity decrease with one dissenter, occured even if the dissenter wasn’t a reliable source

Shows resistance isnt just motivated by following dissenter, it enables them to be free of group pressure

Question 2

Whats a strength of resistance to obedience?

Answer 2

Research supports dissenter in obedience resistance as Gamson et al found higher levels of resistance than Milgram probably due to partipants being in groups

29 out of 33 groups rebelled, showing peer support is linked to greater resistance

Question 3

Whats a strength of LOC and resistance?

Answer 3

Holland repeated Milgrams baseline study, measuring whether participants were internal or external with 37% internal not continuing to 450 volts and 23% externals not continuing

Shows internals show greater resistance to authority compared to externals, increasing validity of LOC explanation

Question 4

Whats a limitation of LOC and resistance?

Answer 4

Not all research supports the link as Twenge et al an analysed data from american LOC from 1960-2002 that showed people have become more resistant to obedience but also more external

If resistance was linked to an internal LOC = people become more internal, results may be due to a changing society with many things out of personal control