Daniel and Matthew are in the same class at school but have very different views on success. Daniel is convinced that success is due to hard work and determination, whilst Matthew believes that luck and fate determine success.

The class is putting on a play and neither Daniel nor Matthew wants to participate. Their friends are trying to persuade them to take part.

(a) Using your knowledge of locus of control, identify which boy is most likely to resist the social influence of his friends. Explain why. [4 marks]

Another boy in the class, Tom, refuses to take part in the play.

(b) Explain how Tom's refusal to take part might affect Daniel's and Matthew's ability to resist social influence. [2 marks]

Answer:

(a) Daniel is most likely to resist the social influence of his friends because he has an internal locus of control. He believes that success is determined by his own hard work and decisions, meaning he takes personal responsibility for his actions and is less likely to be influenced by others. In contrast, Matthew has an external locus of control, as he believes that success is due to luck or fate. This makes him more likely to rely on others' opinions and more susceptible to social influence. Therefore, Daniel is more likely than Matthew to resist the pressure from his friends to take part in the play.

(b) Tom's refusal to take part provides social support, which can make it easier for others to resist pressure from the group. His behaviour is likely to give Matthew, who has an external locus of control, more confidence to also resist. However, Tom's refusal may have little effect on Daniel, as his internal locus of control already makes him less likely to conform.

Examiner Comment: Students should ensure they use the terms internal and external locus of control when explaining behaviour. Some students refer to high or low levels of locus of control without specifying whether it is internal or external, which limits the accuracy of their explanation.