A-level Psychology 7182/1

Read the item and then answer the question that follows. Two psychology students were discussing the topic of social influence. ‘I find it fascinating how some people are able to resist social influence’, said Jack. ‘It must be the result of having a confident personality.’ ‘I disagree’, replied Sarah. ‘I think resisting social influence depends much more on the presence of others.’ Discuss two explanations of resistance to social influence. As part of your discussion, refer to the views expressed by Jack and Sarah in the conversation above. [16 marks] MARK SCHEME Marks for this question: AO1 = 6, AO2 = 4 and AO3 = 6 Level Marks Description 4 13–16 Knowledge of two explanations is accurate and generally well detailed. Discussion is thorough and effective. Application to the stem is appropriate and links between theory and stem content are explained. The answer is clear, coherent and focused. Specialist terminology is used effectively. Minor detail and/or expansion of argument sometimes lacking. 3 9–12 Knowledge of two explanations is evident. Discussion is apparent and mostly effective. There are occasional inaccuracies. Application to the stem is appropriate although links to theory are not always explained. The answer is mostly clear and organised. Specialist terminology mostly used effectively. Lacks focus in places. 2 5–8 Knowledge of two explanations is present but is vague/inaccurate or one explanation only is present. Focus is mainly on description. Any discussion is only partly effective. Application to the stem is partial. The answer lacks clarity, accuracy and organisation in places. Specialist terminology used inappropriately on occasions. 1 1–4 Knowledge of explanation(s) is limited. Discussion is limited, poorly focused or absent. Application is limited or absent. The answer as a whole lacks clarity, has many inaccuracies and is poorly organised. Specialist terminology either absent or inappropriately used. 0 No relevant content. AO1 Content Knowledge/description of two explanations of resistance to social influence (usually those named on the specification and implied in stem): • locus of control – people with an internal locus of control more likely to resist pressure to conform and less likely to obey than those with an external locus of control; people with an internal locus of control believe they control own circumstances; less concerned with social approval. Credit measurement of locus of control (Rotter, 1966) 4 of 21 AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number ) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number ). Our registered address is AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX. • social support – defiance/non-conformity more likely if others are seen to resist influence; seeing others disobey/not conform gives observer confidence to do so; description of forms of social support – disobedient role models (obedience), having an ally (conformity); explanation of why these produce resistance, eg breaks unanimity of group in conformity situations, challenges legitimacy of authority figure. Other acceptable explanations of disobedience/defiance and non-conformity, eg: • being in an autonomous state; previous experience; gender; culture; high level of moral reasoning; reactance/the ‘boomerang effect’. Credit also the inverse of factors usually used to explain conformity and obedience, eg (lack of) uniform; (increased) distance between participant and victim/authority figure; (reduced) group size; (lack of) ambiguity of task. Credit knowledge of relevant evidence, eg Gamson et al (1982), Schurz (1985), Feldman and Scheibe (1972), Milgram (1963), Asch (1951). AO2 Possible application: • Jack suggests that dispositional factors in resisting social influence are more important • Sarah indicates that situational factors are more powerful • ‘strong personality’ could be read as having an internal locus of control that makes someone better able to resist social influence • ‘what other people are doing at the time’ relates to whether ‘they’ are seen to be conforming/obeying, suggesting social support is influential in resisting social influence. AO3 Possible discussion points: • commentary on two explanations of resistance to social influence • use of evidence to support/illustrate the influence of the explanations chosen, eg specific studies of defiance/non-conformity and/or variations of Asch`s and/or Milgram`s basic experiments that demonstrated increased resistance • use of real-world examples to illustrate the explanations • other social psychological concepts/processes used to support discussion of the explanations, eg influence of social support may be explained by reduced normative pressure, minority influence • comparison/analysis of the relative power of the explanations • discussion/analysis of different forms of resistance, eg independent behaviour vs anti-conformity. Credit other relevant discussion points. Only credit evaluation of the methodology used in studies when made relevant to discussion of the