Locus of Control and Social Influence Susceptibility: Are Externals Normative or Informational Conformers?

Abstract

The personality variable locus of control has been related empirically to social influence susceptibility, but it is not clear if this relation is due to a normative or informational process. One hundred and fifty-seven undergraduate students completed Rotter's locus of control scale and Sistrunk's Survey of Normative and Informational Predispositions. Locus of control was significantly correlated with normative tendencies but not informational tendencies. Sex differences were investigated and found to be statistically nonsignificant. It was concluded that externals would conform more than internals when situations produce normative pressure but would not conform more when situations invoke an informational process.