Exploring resistance to social influence, this content delves into how social support and locus of control empower individuals to maintain autonomy against conformity and obedience pressures. It examines the role of psychological and emotional resources provided by allies and the impact of internal versus external attributions of control on resisting social pressures. Research by Asch, Milgram, and others highlights the interplay between situational and dispositional factors in social resistance.
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Social influence is the process by which individuals adjust their thoughts, feelings, or behaviors in response to the presence of others
Persuasion
Persuasion is a form of social influence where individuals are influenced to change their thoughts or behaviors through communication
Conformity
Conformity is a form of social influence where individuals adjust their thoughts or behaviors to match those of a group
Obedience
Obedience is a form of social influence where individuals comply with the demands of an authority figure
Resistance to social influence involves maintaining personal autonomy and decision-making in the face of social pressure
Social support refers to the psychological and emotional resources provided by others that can strengthen an individual's resolve to maintain their own opinions and behaviors against conformist pressures
Individuals with Similar Views
Individuals who share similar views can provide social support for resisting conformity
Communities with Shared Values
Communities that uphold the same values can provide social support for resisting conformity
Social support can diminish feelings of isolation and empower individuals to stand against majority influence
Locus of control is the belief in whether outcomes are influenced by internal factors under one's control or external factors beyond one's control
Individuals with an internal locus of control believe they can influence events and outcomes through their actions, leading to a stronger resistance to social pressures
Individuals with an external locus of control may be more inclined to yield to social influence, believing their actions have little effect on outcomes
Solomon Asch's Conformity Experiment
Asch's experiment showed that social support can reduce the tendency to conform
Stanley Milgram's Obedience Experiment
Milgram's experiment showed that social support can reduce the tendency to obey authority figures
Samuel and Pearl Oliner's Study
The Oliners' study found that individuals with a pronounced internal locus of control are more likely to resist social pressures
Paul Spector's Research
Spector's research indicates that individuals with a pronounced internal locus of control are more likely to resist social pressures
These studies highlight the importance of both social support and individual beliefs in shaping resistance to social influence