Discuss social support and locus of control as explanations of resistance to social influence.
Updated: Oct 7
Question 10 Mark Scheme
Discuss social support and locus of control as explanations of resistance to social influence.
[16 marks]
What is expected in the answer?
The command word “discuss” requires students to describe both explanations accurately and then evaluate how successfully they explain resistance to conformity and obedience. For 16 marks, students should develop both social support and locus of control, use relevant research evidence, compare their explanatory value and avoid spending too much time simply describing studies.
The current AQA specification explicitly requires social support and locus of control as explanations of resistance to social influence.
For this original question, with no scenario to apply, an appropriate AQA-style allocation is:
Marks for this question: AO1 = 6, AO3 = 10
AQA's specimen assessment used a closely related 16-mark question on these two explanations. That version included a scenario and allocated AO1 = 6, AO2 = 4 and AO3 = 6. For a 16-mark discussion question without application, AQA's established pattern is to place the additional marks into AO3.
Level | Marks | Description |
4 | 13–16 | Knowledge of social support and locus of control as explanations of resistance to social influence is accurate and generally well detailed. Discussion is thorough and effective. Research evidence and comparisons are clearly linked to the explanations. The answer is clear, coherent and focused, with effective use of specialist terminology. Minor detail or expansion may occasionally be lacking. |
3 | 9–12 | Knowledge of both explanations is evident, although there may be occasional inaccuracies or omissions. Discussion is mostly effective and relevant research is used appropriately. The answer is generally clear and organised but may lack development or focus in places. |
2 | 5–8 | Limited knowledge of both explanations is present, or one explanation is substantially better developed than the other. The response is mainly descriptive and discussion is only partly effective. Research may be described without being clearly linked to the explanation. |
1 | 1–4 | Knowledge of the explanation(s) is very limited or muddled. Discussion is limited, poorly focused or absent. Specialist terminology is absent or used inaccurately. |
0 | 0 | No relevant content. |
Indicative content
AO1: Social support
Credit relevant knowledge such as:
Social support can increase a person's ability to resist both conformity and obedience.
Resistance becomes more likely when an individual sees other people resisting social influence.
Seeing another person refuse to conform or obey can give an individual greater confidence to resist.
In conformity situations, the presence of an ally breaks the unanimity of the majority.
Once unanimity has been broken, the individual may feel less pressure to conform.
This can reduce normative social pressure because the individual is no longer the only person disagreeing with the group.
In obedience situations, seeing a disobedient role model can make defiance more likely.
Another person's disobedience may challenge the apparent legitimacy of the authority figure.
Social support may also involve some diffusion of responsibility, because an individual no longer feels that they are resisting alone.
AQA's specimen mark scheme identifies an ally in conformity, disobedient role models in obedience, breaking unanimity and challenging legitimate authority as central aspects of social support. The June 2022 mark scheme also identifies increased confidence and diffusion of responsibility as relevant mechanisms.
AO1: Locus of control
Credit relevant knowledge such as:
Locus of control is a dispositional explanation of resistance to social influence.
It concerns the extent to which people believe that they have control over events affecting them.
People with an internal locus of control believe that they have greater control over their own circumstances.
Internals are more likely to rely on their own judgement rather than automatically accepting the views or instructions of others.
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