No abstract

No abstract

This study tested a central proposition, stemming from Rotter's Social Learning Theory, that conformity is related to low expectations of success in socially evaluative situations and is consequently accompanied by defensive processes. 2 variants of an Asch situation representing increasing degrees of personal commitment were compared to a control condition. Situational measures of confidence included betting and statements of expectancy. Additional personality indices included level of aspiration, need for approval, and internal vs. external control of reinforcement. The Ss were 110 introductory psychology students. Results depict the conformer as one who has a low expectation of success in evaluative situations. His lesser confidence leads to avoidant behavior to resolve the ensuing conflict. Defensive processes of the conformer tend to become more marked as personal commitment increases.

This study tested the hypotheses that approval-dependent individuals (a) tend prematurely to terminate psychotherapy, and (b) are rated by therapists as more defensive and less improved than patients less approval-dependent. 85 psychiatric outpatients completed the Marlowe and Crowne Social Desirability scale (the measure of need for approval) and rated their improvement in psychotherapy. Therapists rated 30 of these patients on defensiveness, attitude towards patient, patient's attitude towards therapist, improvement, and satisfaction with therapy. Additional measures included diagnosis, social class, and ordinal position. Results confirmed the hypotheses. The high need for approval group terminated significantly (p < .005) earlier. Approvalmotivated patients were generally given more negative ratings by therapists. Approval-motivated females rated themselves as more improved. Ordinal position and social class failed to predict stay in therapy. The implications of these findings were discussed.

No abstract