Discuss two explanations of resistance to social influence. As part of your discussion, refer to the views expressed by Jack and Sarah in the conversation above. (16 marks)
Two psychology students were discussing the topic of social influence.
‘I find it fascinating how some people are able to resist social influence’, said Jack. ‘It must be the result of having a confident personality.’
‘I disagree’, replied Sarah. ‘I think resisting social influence depends much more on the presence of others.’
Discuss two explanations of resistance to social influence. As part of your discussion, refer to the views expressed by Jack and Sarah in the conversation above. (16 marks)
Resistance to social influence can be understood through the lens of locus of control, where individuals with an internal locus of control believe they have control over their own actions and are less swayed by external influences. Those with an internal locus of control are more likely to resist conformity or obedience to authority figures, as they rely on their own judgment and beliefs rather than external pressures. Conversely, individuals with an external locus of control tend to attribute outcomes to external forces, making them more susceptible to social influence.
In the scenario, Jack's perspective suggests an internal locus of control, where he believes that resisting social influence stems from individual traits like confidence and personality. He likely sees those who resist influence as having a strong sense of self-determination and autonomy, perceiving their actions as driven by internal beliefs rather than external pressures.
The locus of control theory can be said to have real life practical applications. This means that the theory can be used in society to support or help individuals who may be struggling in any way to live successful lives. For example, it provides a valuable framework for understanding individual differences in behaviour and responses to social influence. This insight has practical applications in various fields such as psychology, education, and management, aiding in the understanding of motivation and decision-making processes.
However, the theory has been criticised for oversimplifying the complex interplay between internal and external factors influencing behavior. It tends to overlook the situational factors nuances that may impact an individual's perceived control, such as the location or environment an individual may be placed in (Milgram 19666). It also fails to account for socio-economic status or cultural background. Additionally, the theory's binary classification of locus of control as either internal or external may not fully capture the spectrum of beliefs individuals hold about control.
Despite these limitations, the locus of control theory remains a valuable tool for understanding human behaviour, especially when integrated with other psychological theories and concepts.
Additionally, social support plays a pivotal role in resistance, as it reinforces individuals' beliefs and empowers them to maintain their autonomy amidst external pressures. Thus, the interplay between internal beliefs about control and external support systems significantly influences individuals' ability to resist social influence.
Sarah's statement emphasises the significance of social support in influencing individuals' ability to resist social influence. Sarah suggests that external factors, particularly the support and validation provided by peers or groups, are crucial in enabling individuals to resist conformity or obedience to authority figures. She implies that individuals are more likely to maintain their autonomy and resist external pressures when they have supportive networks or allies who reinforce their beliefs and choices.
One main strength with this specific explanation is that there is supporting evidence. Supporting evidence helps to strengthen theories to help increase our understanding in this area. For example, Asch's line discrimination study is often cited as evidence of the influential role of social support in resistance to social influence. By introducing a dissenting confederate in his variations of the study, Asch observed a decrease in conformity among participants, indicating the power of social support in bolstering individuals' confidence to resist conformity pressures. However, it's important to note that while social support may have contributed to reduced conformity in these experiments, other factors could also have played a role. For instance, individual differences in personality traits, such as assertiveness or independence, might have influenced participants' resistance to social influence independently of social support. Moreover, the experimental setting itself may have influenced participants' behaviour, raising questions about the generalisability of these findings to real-world situations.
Despite these potential limitations, Asch's study provides valuable insights into the dynamics of social influence and the potential impact of social support on mitigating social influence.
In light of the conversation between Jack and Sarah, Asch's study exemplifies the significance of social support as one explanation for resistance to social influence. However, it also prompts consideration of individual differences, suggesting that internal factors such as personality traits may also play a crucial role in determining resistance to social influence.