Explanations of Resistance of Social Influence

Social Support + Locus Of Control

Social Support AO1

People can resist pressures to conform or obey when they receive social support - hv an ally - gives us confidence + support making it possible to resist the pressures to conform or obey and remain independent in our behaviour. 

Individuals who hv support for their point of view no longer fear being ridiculed - avoid NSI.

Social Support AO3 Ash

Asch - OG when all confederates gv same wrong answer conformity = 37%

When variation + 1 confederate gv correct answer conformity = 5.5%

Therefore - supports - suggests as confederate provided real pps with social support - gv them confidence to remain independent + resist pressure to conform.

Social Support AO3 Milgram

Milgram - in variation - real pps was paired with 2 more confederates (played role of teachers) - these confederates refused to go on + withdrew from exp. early.

Pps who proceeded to 450V dropped from 65% OG to 10%

Supports - shows if real pps has support they are more likely to resist obedience to the authority figure.

Locus of Control AO1

Personality trait - a persons perception of personal control over their behavior. Scale with internal and external on either end

Internal - Believe they control what happens to them + their behaviour is caused by their own personal decision + effort.

External - Believe what happens to them is determined by external factors such as influence of others, luck or fate.

Locus Of Control AO3 RTS

Milgram + Elms - interviewed Milgram’s OG pps + assessed their LofC

Those who had Internal LofC - more likely to refuse to gv shocks WHEREAS External LofC were more likely to be a part of the 65% who went to 450V

Supports - shows ppl with a external LofC less likely to resist social influence while ppl with an internal LofC are more likely to be able to resist social influence as they remain independent.

Locus Of Control AO3 RTS

Spector - measured LofC + predisposition to NSI + ISI in students

Found students with external LofC - more likely to conform to NSI than those with internal LofC

However no difference between both groups for situations in ISI

Supports the idea that individuals with internal LofC - more likely to resist social influence in certain situations.