Ever wondered why some people stick to their guns whilst...
Psychology396 views·Updated 3 Sept 2026·2 pagesAQA A-Level Psychology: Understanding Resistance to Social Influence - Model Essay
DT@djt9
1
of 2
Two Key Explanations for Resistance
Resistance to social influence is your ability to stand firm against pressure to conform or obey others. Think about times you've refused to join in with something everyone else was doing - that's resistance in action.
The social support theory explains how having an ally makes all the difference. When someone else breaks the unanimity (complete agreement) of a group, it gives you permission to act independently too. Your supporter doesn't have to agree with you completely - they just need to show that disagreeing is possible and demonstrate how to challenge authority or majority opinion.
The locus of control theory focuses on your personality. People with an internal locus of control believe they control their own destiny - they're more confident, achievement-focused, and don't desperately need others' approval. This makes them more likely to trust their own judgement and resist social pressure.
Quick Check: People with external locus of control blame outside forces like luck or fate for what happens to them, making them more dependent on social approval and less likely to resist influence.
2
of 2
Evaluating These Explanations
Locus of control has some serious limitations that you should know about. Research suggests its importance might be overstated - it mainly affects behaviour in new situations rather than familiar ones where past experience matters more. This means someone who's conformed before will likely conform again, regardless of their locus of control type.
However, there's solid evidence supporting locus of control. When researchers replicated Milgram's famous obedience study, they found 37% of internals resisted giving maximum shocks compared to only 23% of externals. This shows internal locus of control does increase resistance to authority.
Social support gets strong backing from research too. Studies consistently show that having even one dissenter dramatically reduces conformity and obedience. In one fascinating experiment, conformity dropped even when the supporter wore thick glasses and admitted he couldn't see properly - proving that any social support helps, regardless of how valid it actually is.
Key Takeaway: Both explanations have merit, but social support appears more universally applicable since it works in various situations, whilst locus of control mainly influences behaviour in unfamiliar circumstances.
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Psychology396 views·Updated 3 Sept 2026·2 pagesAQA A-Level Psychology: Understanding Resistance to Social Influence - Model Essay
DT@djt9
Ever wondered why some people stick to their guns whilst others cave under peer pressure? Understanding how we resist social influence - whether that's conforming to the crowd or obeying authority figures - is crucial for navigating everyday situations from...
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Two Key Explanations for Resistance
Resistance to social influence is your ability to stand firm against pressure to conform or obey others. Think about times you've refused to join in with something everyone else was doing - that's resistance in action.
The social support theory explains how having an ally makes all the difference. When someone else breaks the unanimity (complete agreement) of a group, it gives you permission to act independently too. Your supporter doesn't have to agree with you completely - they just need to show that disagreeing is possible and demonstrate how to challenge authority or majority opinion.
The locus of control theory focuses on your personality. People with an internal locus of control believe they control their own destiny - they're more confident, achievement-focused, and don't desperately need others' approval. This makes them more likely to trust their own judgement and resist social pressure.
Quick Check: People with external locus of control blame outside forces like luck or fate for what happens to them, making them more dependent on social approval and less likely to resist influence.
2
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Evaluating These Explanations
Locus of control has some serious limitations that you should know about. Research suggests its importance might be overstated - it mainly affects behaviour in new situations rather than familiar ones where past experience matters more. This means someone who's conformed before will likely conform again, regardless of their locus of control type.
However, there's solid evidence supporting locus of control. When researchers replicated Milgram's famous obedience study, they found 37% of internals resisted giving maximum shocks compared to only 23% of externals. This shows internal locus of control does increase resistance to authority.
Social support gets strong backing from research too. Studies consistently show that having even one dissenter dramatically reduces conformity and obedience. In one fascinating experiment, conformity dropped even when the supporter wore thick glasses and admitted he couldn't see properly - proving that any social support helps, regardless of how valid it actually is.
Key Takeaway: Both explanations have merit, but social support appears more universally applicable since it works in various situations, whilst locus of control mainly influences behaviour in unfamiliar circumstances.
We thought you’d never ask...
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.
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That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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Explore key concepts in social influence, including conformity, obedience, and minority influence. This comprehensive summary covers essential studies such as Milgram's experiment, Asch's conformity tests, and the Stanford prison experiment, providing insights into the psychological mechanisms behind social behavior. Ideal for A-Level revision.
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