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.
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.