Outline and evaluate locus of control as an explanation for resistance to social influence. [8 marks]

Rotter (1966) proposed the concept of locus of control, which refers to the amount of control a person believes they have over events in their life. Locus of control exists on a continuum from high internal to high external. People with a high internal locus of control believe that their actions and decisions influence what happens to them. They tend to have greater personal responsibility, self-confidence and personal efficacy. As a result, they are more likely to act independently and resist social influence. In contrast, people with a high external locus of control believe that their lives are controlled by outside forces, such as luck, fate or powerful others. They may therefore be more likely to conform or obey because they feel they have less control over the situation.

One strength of locus of control as an explanation for resistance to social influence is that it is supported by research. Spector (1983) used Rotter’s locus of control scale to investigate conformity in 157 students. He found that participants with a high internal locus of control were less likely to conform than those with a high external locus of control when conformity was caused by normative social influence. This supports the view that people who feel in control of their own behaviour are better able to resist group pressure.

Further support comes from Oliner and Oliner’s research into resistance to obedience. They interviewed non-Jewish people who had lived through the Second World War, comparing 406 people who had protected Jewish people with 126 people who had not. The rescuers were more likely to have a high internal locus of control. This suggests that people who take personal responsibility for their actions may be more willing to resist pressure from authority figures.

However, locus of control is unlikely to be the only explanation for resistance. Situational factors, such as social support, may also make resistance more likely. For example, people may find it easier to resist conformity or obedience when they see someone else disobeying. Therefore, the behaviour identified in Spector’s and Oliner and Oliner’s studies may have been influenced by the situation as well as personality.