Personality affecting conformity 4.1.1 - Social influence: Explanations of locus of control

Key terms Key terms Locus of control – The extent to which we believe we have control over our behaviour/life. Internal locus of control- Internals believe they are responsible for what happens to them. External locus of control-Externals believe it is outside forces.

Locus of control

Score internal statements as follows (question numbers 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 20): Give each statement a score between 1 and 6, where the answer ‘agree very much’ = 1 and ‘disagree very much’ = 6. Score external statements as follows (questions numbers 1, 4, 6, 8, 10, 17, 18, 19): Give each statement a score between 1 and 6, where the answer ‘agree very much’ = 6 and ‘disagree very much’ = 1. Add up total score. Scores range from 20 to 120. A low score indicates an internal locus of control.

Locus of control – AO1 This refers to the sense we have about what directs events in our lives. Rotter (1966) proposed the concept of locus of control – a concept concerned with internal vs external Internal LOC External LOC Internals believe that they are mostly responsible for what happens to them Externals believe that things happen without their own control

Low external + low internal LOC Locus of control – AO1 Continuum People differ in the way they explain their successes and failures but this is not simply a matter of being internal or external – there is a continuum Low external + low internal LOC High internal LOC High external LOC

Locus of control – AO1 Resistance to social influence People with internal LOC are more likely to be able to resist pressure to conform or obey: If someone takes personal responsibility for their actions and experiences (good or bad) they are more likely to base their decisions on their own beliefs People with high internal LOC are more self-confident, more achievement-oriented, have higher intelligence and less need for social approval. These personality traits lead to greater resistance to social influence

Task: Which Locus of Control are YOU? I have an …… locus of control This means I….. If you have an ….. locus of control…..you will…….. to social influence because…. On a post it note write: According to the questionnaire, do you have an more internal or external locus of control? Or are you in the middle? What does this say about you? 3) Are you more or less likely to resist social influence and act independently? Place it on the continuum according to your LOC score

Locus of control - it’s not my fault!

EXTERNAL INTERNAL No I’m not a killjoy, I just don’t want another drink, I’ve had plenty already. I don’t care what my teacher says, I’m not doing the cross country run at the weekend. I never found maths easy so I made sure I got extra help and worked at it. I’m going to get to the top. I’m a confident person and I’ll manage it somehow. I’ve never had a problem passing exams, I’m fortunate that I’m bright but I always work hard too. I failed my driving test because I can’t park well. I did it my way I never vote, I don’t see the point. A single vote can’t make a difference. No, I didn’t audition for a part – I’d never be any good at acting no matter who directed the play. We lost the domino game we were just so unlucky in the tiles we got. My parents brought me up not to question what I’m told to do and I respect that. I always take my lucky mascot into exams. I’m going to join a religious sect and live entirely by their rules. I’m just an unlucky person – I never win in raffles. I had no choice – I had to marry him or my parents would have disowned me.

Task Two people who may be interested in why people resist social influence are: A teacher who wants to ensure that students resist peer pressure to conform. A new army sergeant who wants to reduce the possibility that his new squad disobey his orders. Provide advice for these two people on what you would recommend based on your psychological knowledge.

The Teacher LOC: teacher should encourage development of internal locus of control – for example, through PSHE lessons on self-efficacy and self-confidence. Those with a high internal LOC are more likely to resist pressure to conform.

The sergeant LOC: Reinforcing obedience in tasks in the early days will increase the likelihood of obedience to those tasks, develop an external locus of control in his new squad.

Exam questions Exam Question Three students, George, Petra and Dan, have just started in the sixth form. Dan is a confident person who thinks that his fate lies firmly in his hands. By the end of the first week, Dan has put himself forward to be nominated as the class representative. Petra has also put her name forward to be nominated. She believes it is just luck whether or not she will be selected and feels that there is not much she can do about it. George did not put his name forward because his father told him not to. (i) What type of locus of control does Petra’s behaviour show? (ii) What type of locus of control does Dan’s behaviour show?

Exam questions Exam Question Petra is showing external locus of control. Dan is showing an internal locus of control.

Exam questions Exam Question Which one of the three students is most likely to resist pressures to conform? Use your knowledge of psychology to explain your choice. (4 marks)

Exam questions Exam Question The student who is most likely to resist pressure to conform is Dan. He has an internal locus of control and research has suggested that those people who believe that they are in control of their environment are less likely to conform. These personality types are much more likely to behave independently. Dan’s LOC allows him to resist the pressure to conform. 4 marks Effective explanation - Accurate and reasonably detailed explanation that demonstrates sound knowledge and understanding of why Dan behaved in this way. 3 marks Reasonable explanation - Less detailed but generally accurate explanation that demonstrates knowledge and understanding of resistance to conformity. 2 marks Basic - Basic explanation that demonstrates some relevant knowledge and understanding of resistance to conformity but lacks detail and may be muddled. 1 mark Very brief/flawed or inappropriate - demonstrating very little knowledge. 0 marks - No creditworthy material.