1.8 Resistance to Social Influence

1.8 Resistance to Social Influence

1. Social Support

   • Resisting conformity
     • Pressure to conform is resisted if other people present arent conforming
       • Asch's research: When confederate did not conform, participant felt free to give the answer they wanted.
         • SOCIAL SUPPORT
   • Resisting obedience
     • Pressure to obey can be resisted if another person is seen to disobey.
       • Milgram's research: rate of obedience dropped from 65% to 10%. Disobedient model challenges the legitimacy of authority.
   • Evaluation
     • Strengths
       • Real world support
         • Albrecht et al (2006) Teen Fresh Start USA found that when social support was provided in the form of a buddy, they were less likely to smoke at the end of the programme.
       • Support for dissenting peers
         • Gamson et al (1982) asked to produce evidence used to help an oil company run a smear campaign. Higher levels of resistance found as participants were in groups so could discuss. 88% rebelled.

2. Locus of Control

   • Julian Rotter (1966) proposed the locus of control
     • Internal
       • Believe that things that happen to them are controlled by themselves
     • External
       • Tend to believe the things that happen are outside their control.
     • LOC continuum
       • Locus of control is a scale and individuals vary in their position.
     • Resistance to social influence
       • High internal LOC people are more resistant to social pressures of conforming or obeying. Taking personal responsibility for actions means decisions are based on own decisions and beliefs.
   • Evaluation
     • Strengths
       • Research Support
         • Holland (1967) repeated Milgram's study and assessed whether participants were internal or external. 37% internals did not follow through to the highest shock level, but only 23% externals didnt.
           • Resistance partially related to locus of control
     • Weaknesses
       • Contradictory evidence
         • Twenge et al (2004) analysed data from American LOC studies. Over time people became less obedience but also more external. If resistance was linked to LOC then would be expected to be a higher internal figure.