What did Rotter propose about the limits of locus of control as an explanation for resisting social influence?

What did Rotter propose about the limits of locus of control as an explanation for resisting social influence?

• A. It fully explains resistance in all situations.
• B. It only applies to obedience, not conformity.
• C. It influences behavior equally in novel and familiar situations.
• D. It is more influential in novel situations and less so in familiar ones.

Answer: (D)

Rotter’s idea is that locus of control helps predict how strongly people resist social pressure, but its influence depends on the situation. In novel or uncertain contexts where there aren’t clear norms or past guidelines, someone who believes they control outcomes (an internal locus) is more likely to resist pressure because they think their own actions can make a difference. Conversely, someone who thinks outcomes are controlled by luck or powerful others (an external locus) is more prone to yield to pressure. In familiar situations with well-established norms, those cues and social expectations guide behavior more strongly, so the belief about personal control matters less. So, Rotter argued that locus of control is not a universal predictor; its impact is stronger in new situations and weaker in those that are familiar. That’s why the statement that locus of control is more influential in novel situations and less so in familiar ones best captures Rotter’s view.

Rotter’s idea is that locus of control helps predict how strongly people resist social pressure, but its influence depends on the situation. In novel or uncertain contexts where there aren’t clear norms or past guidelines, someone who believes they control outcomes (an internal locus) is more likely to resist pressure because they think their own actions can make a difference. Conversely, someone who thinks outcomes are controlled by luck or powerful others (an external locus) is more prone to yield to pressure. In familiar situations with well-established norms, those cues and social expectations guide behavior more strongly, so the belief about personal control matters less. So, Rotter argued that locus of control is not a universal predictor; its impact is stronger in new situations and weaker in those that are familiar. That’s why the statement that locus of control is more influential in novel situations and less so in familiar ones best captures Rotter’s view.