ORCID Identifier(s)

0000-0002-2579-6143

Graduation Semester and Year

2017

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

William Ickes

Abstract

Using a dispositional strategy, two studies investigated individual differences in three types of influenceability and two types of anti-influenceability. Study 1 replicated the majority of consistent results found in Robinson and Ickes (2016) of different personality traits being predictive of different forms of influenceability. Individuals who reported more instances of self-jeopardizing influenceability tended to (1) have an external locus of control, (2) be more other-directed, (3) have a weaker sense of self, and (4) be more prone to dispositional emotional contagion. Individuals who were prone to susceptibility to peer pressure tended to be (1) low in social desirability, (2) more other-directed, and (3) high self-monitors. Individuals who reported more instances of emotional contagion behaviors were prone to be (1) higher in dispositional emotional contagion, (2) lower in social desirability, and (3) female. Study 2 investigated dispositional determinants of two types of anti-influenceability: independence and self-jeopardizing anti-influenceability. Individuals who reported more instances of independence tended to be (1) higher in psychological reactance, (2) lower in social desirability, and (3) male. Individuals who reported higher rates of self-jeopardizing anti-influenceability were more likely to (1) reject authority, (2) be prone to psychological reactance, (3) be male, and possibly be higher in authoritarianism in certain circumstances. The author argues that extreme forms of influenceability and anti-influenceability can result in negative outcomes for the individuals who possess these qualities, and that dispositional studies can contribute to identifying these individuals. Future research can build upon the framework identified in the current studies, with the goal of intervening prior to negative long-term consequences.

Keywords

Influenceability, Anti-Influenceability, Individual differences, Personality, Social Influence

Disciplines

Psychology | Social and Behavioral Sciences

Comments

Degree granted by The University of Texas at Arlington

26936-2.zip (1472 kB)

Included in

Psychology Commons

Share

COinS
 
 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.