Social Support & Locus of Control (OCR A-Level Psychology): Revision Notes
1.3.1 Social Support & Locus of Control
Locus of control - Dispositional factor
Refers to how much control a person feels they have over their own behaviour. A person can either have an internal locus of control or an external locus of control.
There is a continuum, with most people lying in between.
People with a high internal locus of control perceive themselves as having a lot of personal control over their behaviour and are therefore more likely to take responsibility for the way they behave.
e.g., "I did well on the exams because I revised extremely hard".
People with a high external locus of control see their behaviours as being a result of external influences or luck e.g., "I did well on the test because it was easy".
Research has shown that people with an internal locus of control tend to be less conforming and less obedient.
Social support - Situational factor
The presence of other people who resist pressure to conform or obey can help others to do the same. These people act as models to show others that resistance to social influence is possible.
Why does social support affect social influence?
- It works because it breaks the unanimous position of the majority
- Less likely to fear being ridiculed - someone is on your side
- It gives us the confidence to resist obeying
- Disobedient peers act as role models for our own behaviour
Evaluation:
Application: Jasper felt comfortable leaving his hat on as he noticed that one other boy was wearing his hat. This built Jaspers's confidence as he was less likely to fear being ridiculed as he had the social support of someone else. Therefore the boy wearing his hat acted as a model for Jasper, demonstrating that resistance to social influence is possible.