Resistance to Social Influence - Social support, Locus of control

Give a situational explanation for resistance to social influence

social support

What is a dissenter? (2)

Someone deviating from the majority’s opinion, even if it is not the same as your own

In the case of conformity, how does a dissenter increase resistance to social influence? (3)

with the social support of a dissenter, an individual will not fear being ridiculed, allowing avoidance of normative social influence

In the case of obedience, how does a dissenter increase resistance to social influence? (2)

the social support of the dissenter makes it easier to stand up to an authority figure, as they would share the consequences of doing so

Outline the significance of a dissenter’s presence affecting conformity and obedience

Dissenters make disobedience and non-conformity an option that an individual may not have considered without them

Give a dispositional explanation for resistance to social influence

locus of control

What is the locus of control?

the extent to which individuals believe that they can control the events in their lives

What is internal locus of control?

When an individual believes events result primarily from their own behaviour and actions

What are individuals with an internal locus of control more likely to be? (4)

have better control of their behaviour, influence other people as they believe they will be successful, be confident, less likely to change their behaviour to fit in with a group

Why are individuals with an internal locus of control expected to be more resistant to the pressures of social influence? (2)

they believe the events happen as a result of their own behaviour, they won’t obey if they feel uncomfortable as they automatically feel responsible

What is external locus of control?

When an individual believes that powerful others, fate or chance primarily determine events in their lives

Why are individuals with an external locus of control expected to be less resistant to the pressures of social influence? (3)

they are able to pass the responsibility for an event they feel uncomfortable with onto someone else or those around them, they more easily shift into an agentic state, resulting in obedience and conformity