Desire for control and conformity to a perceived norm.

Abstract

The role of individual differences in the general desire for control in conformity situations was exam-ined in three experiments. In Experiment 1, undergraduates low in desire for control were more likely to agree with a persuasive message when survey results were cited indicating public support for the advocated view. Subjects high in desire for control, however, were less persuaded by this message than when the survey information was not included. In Experiment 2, subjects gave humor ratings for cartoons in an Asch conformity paradigm. Subjects with low desire for control were more likely to agree with confederate ratings than were those with high desire for control. Experiment 3 results replicated this effect and ruled out the mere presence of others as an alternate interpretation of it. The findings from all three experiments are interpreted as a demonstration of the motivational component of the desire-for-control construct. It has been widely assumed that, other things being equal, people generally prefer to be in control of the events in their lives. Several theorists (deCharms, 1968; Deci, 1975: White, 1959) have described a motivation to see oneself as masterful and competent that is satisfied by effectively controlling impor