What is the primary difference between Social Support and Locus of Control as explanations for resistance?

Social Support is a situational explanation focusing on environmental factors like the presence of an ally, while Locus of Control is a dispositional explanation focusing on internal personality traits.

How does an Internal Locus of Control differ from an External Locus of Control regarding social influence?

Internals believe they control their own destiny and are more likely to resist pressure, whereas Externals believe outcomes are due to outside forces and are more likely to conform or obey.

How does the presence of a dissenter affect the 'unanimity' of a group?

A dissenter breaks the unanimity of the majority, which significantly lowers the pressure on others to conform, even if the dissenter's view is also incorrect.

What is a common mistake when describing Locus of Control as a personality trait?

A common error is treating LoC as a binary category (either Internal or External) rather than a continuum where individuals can fall anywhere between the two extremes.

Why is it incorrect to assume that social support always leads to resistance?

Social support is a facilitator, not a guarantee; individual differences and the severity of the situation (e.g., extreme fear of punishment) can still lead to obedience despite having an ally.

What error occurs if one uses Locus of Control to predict behavior in a highly familiar situation?

In familiar situations, past behavior and established habits are often better predictors of resistance or compliance than an individual's general Locus of Control.

Define 'Social Support' in the context of resisting social influence.

It is the presence of people who resist pressures to conform or obey, thereby acting as models to show others that resistance is possible and acceptable.

What is the 'Locus of Control' continuum?

It is a scale measuring the degree to which people believe they have control over their lives, ranging from Internal (self-control) to External (control by others/fate).

What is a 'disobedient model'?

A disobedient model is an individual who refuses to follow an order from an authority figure, providing social support for others to also resist that authority.

Why are individuals with a high Internal LoC generally more resistant to social influence?

They tend to be more self-confident, have a higher need for achievement, and feel a greater sense of personal responsibility for their actions, making them less reliant on group approval.

Social Support & Locus of Control | AQA A-Level Psychology

Social Support & Locus of Control

Summary

Resistance to social influence is driven by both situational factors, such as the presence of social support, and dispositional factors, specifically an individual's Locus of Control. Social support provides a 'buffer' that breaks the unanimity of a group or the absolute power of an authority figure, while an internal Locus of Control fosters the self-confidence and personal responsibility necessary to act independently of external pressures.

1. Definition & Core Concepts

Social Support refers to the presence of an ally or a 'dissenter' who provides an individual with the confidence to resist conforming to a majority or obeying an authority figure. This support acts as a psychological buffer, reducing the perceived risk of social rejection or punishment.

Locus of Control (LoC) is a personality dimension proposed by Julian Rotter that measures the extent to which individuals believe they have power over the events in their lives. It is viewed as a continuum ranging from high internal to high external control.

Resistance to Social Influence occurs when an individual chooses not to follow the majority (conformity) or refuses to follow the orders of an authority figure (obedience). Understanding why some people resist while others comply is central to social psychology.

Diagram showing a majority group exerting pressure on an individual, and a social support ally providing a counter-force that enables resistance.

2. Social Support: Breaking Unanimity

The presence of a dissenter—someone who does not follow the majority—is the most effective form of social support in reducing conformity. Even if the dissenter provides a different incorrect answer, their mere presence validates the possibility of independent thought.

In the context of obedience, social support manifests as a 'disobedient model.' When an individual observes a peer refusing to follow an unethical or harmful order, the perceived legitimacy of the authority figure is challenged, making it easier for the individual to also refuse.

Social support works by shifting the focus from the 'need to be liked' (normative influence) to the 'need to be right' (informational influence). It provides a sense of shared responsibility, which lowers the individual's anxiety about standing alone.

3. Locus of Control: Internal vs. External

4. Key Distinctions

5. Exam Strategy & Tips

6. Common Pitfalls & Misconceptions

Confusing LoC with Self-Esteem: While related, they are different. LoC is about the source of control over events, while self-esteem is about one's sense of worth.
Overstating Social Support: Social support does not guarantee resistance. Some individuals may still obey or conform due to extreme fear or deeply ingrained habits, regardless of an ally's presence.
Fixed Trait Fallacy: Avoid describing LoC as a fixed, unchangeable trait. It can shift over time based on life experiences and environmental changes.

Social Support & Locus of Control

Summary

1. Definition & Core Concepts

Diagram showing a majority group exerting pressure on an individual, and a social support ally providing a counter-force that enables resistance.

2. Social Support: Breaking Unanimity

3. Locus of Control: Internal vs. External

Individuals with a High Internal Locus of Control believe that their own actions, hard work, and decisions determine their life outcomes. They take personal responsibility for their successes and failures, which makes them more likely to resist social pressure that conflicts with their personal values.

Individuals with a High External Locus of Control believe that their lives are governed by outside forces such as luck, fate, or powerful others. Because they feel they have little personal agency, they are more susceptible to social influence and have a higher need for social approval.

Research indicates that 'internals' tend to be more self-confident, achievement-oriented, and possess higher intelligence. These traits correlate with a greater capacity to remain independent in the face of group pressure or authoritative commands.

4. Key Distinctions

It is vital to distinguish between situational and dispositional factors. Social support is a situational factor (dependent on the environment), whereas Locus of Control is a dispositional factor (a stable personality trait).

Feature	Internal Locus of Control	External Locus of Control
Source of Control	Personal effort and decisions	Luck, fate, or powerful others
Resistance Level	High; relies on personal standards	Low; seeks social approval
Responsibility	Accepts personal accountability	Attributes outcomes to external factors
Personality Traits	Self-confident, independent	Insecure, high need for approval

5. Exam Strategy & Tips

Identify the Explanation Type: When asked about resistance, determine if the question focuses on the situation (social support) or the person (LoC). Use both for a comprehensive answer.
The Role of Unanimity: Always mention that social support is effective because it breaks the unanimity of the majority. This is a key technical term in social influence research.
Continuum Concept: Remember that LoC is not a binary 'either/or' category. Most people fall somewhere along a spectrum, and their behavior may vary depending on the context.
Predictive Power: Note that LoC is a better predictor of behavior in new situations. In familiar situations, past experience often overrides personality traits.

6. Common Pitfalls & Misconceptions

Confusing LoC with Self-Esteem: While related, they are different. LoC is about the source of control over events, while self-esteem is about one's sense of worth.
Overstating Social Support: Social support does not guarantee resistance. Some individuals may still obey or conform due to extreme fear or deeply ingrained habits, regardless of an ally's presence.
Fixed Trait Fallacy: Avoid describing LoC as a fixed, unchangeable trait. It can shift over time based on life experiences and environmental changes.