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Theodora Li
17/10/2025
Psychology
Resistance to social influence
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17 Oct 2025
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Resistance to Social Influence Examples for A Level Psychology
Resistance to Social Influence: Key Factors and Evaluation
Resistance to social influence is a critical topic in psychology, particularly relevant for students studying A-level Psychology. This page explores two main factors that contribute to an individual's ability to resist social pressures: social support and locus of control.
Social Support in Resisting Conformity and Obedience
Social support plays a crucial role in helping individuals resist conformity and obedience pressures.
Definition: Social support refers to the presence of another person who does not conform to the majority or obey authority, providing a model of independent behavior.
In conformity situations:
- The presence of a non-conforming individual enables others to resist pressure to conform.
- This was demonstrated in Asch's research, where a dissenting confederate significantly reduced conformity rates.
In obedience scenarios:
- A disobedient person can help others resist pressure to obey authority.
- Milgram's variations showed that obedience rates dropped from 65% to 10% when a genuine participant was joined by a disobedient confederate.
Example: The Teen Fresh Start USA program, evaluated by Albrecht et al. (2006), demonstrated how social support from slightly older mentors helped pregnant adolescents resist peer pressure to smoke.
Locus of Control and Resistance to Social Influence
Locus of control (LOC), a concept proposed by Rotter (1966), is another significant factor in resistance to social influence.
Definition: Locus of control refers to the extent to which individuals believe they have control over events in their lives.
- Internal LOC: People believe they largely control their own lives.
- External LOC: People believe external factors control their lives.
Highlight: Individuals with high internal LOC are generally more able to resist pressures to conform or obey, as they take responsibility for their actions and base decisions on their own beliefs rather than others' opinions.
Evaluation of Resistance to Social Influence Theories
-
Research Support:
- Gamson et al. (1982) showed that peer support led to higher levels of resistance against authority.
- Holland found that individuals with internal LOC were more likely to resist obedience in a Milgram-style experiment.
-
Contradictory Findings:
- Twenge et al. (2004) found that over 40 years, people became more resistant to obedience but also more external in their LOC, challenging the straightforward link between internal LOC and resistance.
-
Limitations:
- The role of LOC may be limited to new situations, as familiar scenarios are more influenced by previous responses.
Evaluation: While social support and locus of control provide valuable insights into resistance to social influence, research suggests that their effects may be context-dependent and not universally applicable.
This comprehensive overview of resistance to social influence highlights the complexity of the topic and the need for nuanced understanding in A-level Psychology studies.
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very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
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I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
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This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Resistance to Social Influence Examples for A Level Psychology
Resistance to social influence is a crucial concept in psychology, focusing on how individuals can resist conformity and obedience pressures. This summary explores key factors like social support and locus of control, which play significant roles in enabling resistance to... Show more
Resistance to Social Influence: Key Factors and Evaluation
Resistance to social influence is a critical topic in psychology, particularly relevant for students studying A-level Psychology. This page explores two main factors that contribute to an individual's ability to resist social pressures: social support and locus of control.
Social Support in Resisting Conformity and Obedience
Social support plays a crucial role in helping individuals resist conformity and obedience pressures.
Definition: Social support refers to the presence of another person who does not conform to the majority or obey authority, providing a model of independent behavior.
In conformity situations:
- The presence of a non-conforming individual enables others to resist pressure to conform.
- This was demonstrated in Asch's research, where a dissenting confederate significantly reduced conformity rates.
In obedience scenarios:
- A disobedient person can help others resist pressure to obey authority.
- Milgram's variations showed that obedience rates dropped from 65% to 10% when a genuine participant was joined by a disobedient confederate.
Example: The Teen Fresh Start USA program, evaluated by Albrecht et al. (2006), demonstrated how social support from slightly older mentors helped pregnant adolescents resist peer pressure to smoke.
Locus of Control and Resistance to Social Influence
Locus of control (LOC), a concept proposed by Rotter (1966), is another significant factor in resistance to social influence.
Definition: Locus of control refers to the extent to which individuals believe they have control over events in their lives.
- Internal LOC: People believe they largely control their own lives.
- External LOC: People believe external factors control their lives.
Highlight: Individuals with high internal LOC are generally more able to resist pressures to conform or obey, as they take responsibility for their actions and base decisions on their own beliefs rather than others' opinions.
Evaluation of Resistance to Social Influence Theories
-
Research Support:
- Gamson et al. (1982) showed that peer support led to higher levels of resistance against authority.
- Holland found that individuals with internal LOC were more likely to resist obedience in a Milgram-style experiment.
-
Contradictory Findings:
- Twenge et al. (2004) found that over 40 years, people became more resistant to obedience but also more external in their LOC, challenging the straightforward link between internal LOC and resistance.
-
Limitations:
- The role of LOC may be limited to new situations, as familiar scenarios are more influenced by previous responses.
Evaluation: While social support and locus of control provide valuable insights into resistance to social influence, research suggests that their effects may be context-dependent and not universally applicable.
This comprehensive overview of resistance to social influence highlights the complexity of the topic and the need for nuanced understanding in A-level Psychology studies.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user