Outline and briefly evaluate locus of control as an explanation of resistance to social influence. [6 marks]

Answer: Rotter (1966) proposed the concept of locus of control, which refers to the degree of control individuals believe they have over their own lives. People with a high internal locus of control believe that their actions and decisions directly determine their life outcomes. As a result, they tend to take personal responsibility for their behaviour, act more independently, and are less likely to conform or obey. In contrast, those with a high external locus of control believe their lives are shaped by external forces such as luck, fate, or the influence of others, making them more likely to give in to social pressure and less likely to behave independently.

One strength of locus of control as an explanation for resisting conformity is that it is supported by research evidence. For example, Spector (1983) used Rotter's locus of control scale to investigate the relationship between locus of control and conformity in a sample of 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 driven by normative social influence. This suggests that people with an internal locus of control are more able to resist conformity when the pressure comes from a desire for social approval rather than a desire to be correct.