Resistance to Social Influence

Social Support

The presence of others who resist conformity makes it easier to resist.

in studies by Asch: When there is a dissenter (someone who does not conform), conformity decreases.

this is because social support gives confidence to follow your own answer. It breaks the unanimity of the group

Resisting Obedience

Social support also helps people resist obedience. In variations of Stanley Milgram’s study:

When a disobedient confederate was present, obedience dropped from 65% to 10%

Explanation: The disobedient person acts as a role model Shows that resistance is possible Undermines the authority figure’s legitimacy

Real World Application

Programmes like those studied by Susan Albrecht show:

Social support (e.g. a mentor or “buddy”) helps people resist negative influences like smoking

Research Support

Found 88% of participants rebelled against authority

This shows social support helps people resist obedience.

Locus of Control

Proposed by Rotter. Refers to the extent to which people believe they have control over their lives.

Types of LOC

Internal LOC

Believe outcomes are due to their own actions, More independent and confident

External LOC

Believe outcomes are due to luck, fate, or other people, Less personal control

Resistance to social influence

People with an internal LOC are more likely to:

Resist conformity

Resist obedience

Because they are: More confident. More independent and Less reliant on others’ approval

Research support LOC

Holland (1967):

• Internals were more likely to resist obedience in a Milgram-type study

Supports LOC as an explanation.

Contradictory Research

Twenge found that people have become more external over time, but resistance to social influence has increased

This challenges the explanation.