1.10: Social change

Question 1

Discuss the role of social influence processes in social change (16 marks)

Answer 1

Social change is the process by which society changes its beliefs, attitudes and behaviour to create new social norms, expected ways of thinking and behaviour

Question 2

Discuss the role of social influence processes in social change (16 marks).
Social change is the process by which society changes its beliefs, attitudes and behaviour to create new social norms, expected ways of thinking and behaviour.
How does this process occur?

Answer 2

This process occurs continually, but at a gradual pace​

Question 3

Discuss the role of social influence processes in social change (16 marks).
Social change is the process by which society changes its beliefs, attitudes and behaviour to create new social norms, expected ways of thinking and behaviour.
This process occurs continually, but at a gradual pace, with minority influence being what?

Answer 3

This process occurs continually, but at a gradual pace, with minority influence being the main driving force for social change​

Question 4

Discuss the role of social influence processes in social change (16 marks).
Social change is the process by which society changes its beliefs, attitudes and behaviour to create new social norms, expected ways of thinking and behaviour.
This process occurs continually, but at a gradual pace, with minority influence being the main driving force for social change.
What is social change generally?

Answer 4

Social change is generally a slow, gradual process of social cryptoamnesia

Question 5

Discuss the role of social influence processes in social change (16 marks).
Social change is the process by which society changes its beliefs, attitudes and behaviour to create new social norms, expected ways of thinking and behaviour.
This process occurs continually, but at a gradual pace, with minority influence being the main driving force for social change.
As social change is generally a slow, gradual process of social cryptoamnesia, what does it allow for?

Answer 5

As social change is generally a slow, gradual process of social cryptoamnesia, it allows for change to occur in a manner that is not too disruptive to social order

Question 6

Discuss the role of social influence processes in social change (16 marks).
Social change is the process by which society changes its beliefs, attitudes and behaviour to create new social norms, expected ways of thinking and behaviour.
This process occurs continually, but at a gradual pace, with minority influence being the main driving force for social change.
As social change is generally a slow, gradual process of social cryptoamnesia, it allows for change to occur in a manner that is not too disruptive to social order.
What changes attitudes and behaviour over time?​

Answer 6

Minority influence changes attitudes and behaviour over time​

Question 7

Discuss the role of social influence processes in social change (16 marks).
Social change is the process by which society changes its beliefs, attitudes and behaviour to create new social norms, expected ways of thinking and behaviour.
This process occurs continually, but at a gradual pace, with minority influence being the main driving force for social change.
As social change is generally a slow, gradual process of social cryptoamnesia, it allows for change to occur in a manner that is not too disruptive to social order.
Minority influence changes attitudes and behaviour over time, incurring what?

Answer 7

Minority influence changes attitudes and behaviour over time, incurring a strong, long-lasting form of conformity​

Question 8

Discuss the role of social influence processes in social change (16 marks).
Social change is the process by which society changes its beliefs, attitudes and behaviour to create new social norms, expected ways of thinking and behaviour.
This process occurs continually, but at a gradual pace, with minority influence being the main driving force for social change.
As social change is generally a slow, gradual process of social cryptoamnesia, it allows for change to occur in a manner that is not too disruptive to social order.
Minority influence changes attitudes and behaviour over time, incurring a strong, long-lasting form of conformity, involving what?

Answer 8

Minority influence changes attitudes and behaviour over time, incurring a strong, long-lasting form of conformity, involving fundamental changes in belief systems

Question 9

Discuss the role of social influence processes in social change (16 marks).
Social change is the process by which society changes its beliefs, attitudes and behaviour to create new social norms, expected ways of thinking and behaviour.
This process occurs continually, but at a gradual pace, with minority influence being the main driving force for social change.
As social change is generally a slow, gradual process of social cryptoamnesia, it allows for change to occur in a manner that is not too disruptive to social order.
Minority influence changes attitudes and behaviour over time, incurring a strong, long-lasting form of conformity, involving fundamental changes in belief systems.
In this way, what?

Answer 9

In this way, innovation occurs and new ideas and behaviours become adopted as mainstream practices

Question 10

Discuss the role of social influence processes in social change (16 marks).
Social change is the process by which society changes its beliefs, attitudes and behaviour to create new social norms, expected ways of thinking and behaviour.
This process occurs continually, but at a gradual pace, with minority influence being the main driving force for social change.
As social change is generally a slow, gradual process of social cryptoamnesia, it allows for change to occur in a manner that is not too disruptive to social order.
Minority influence changes attitudes and behaviour over time, incurring a strong, long-lasting form of conformity, involving fundamental changes in belief systems.
In this way, innovation occurs and new ideas and behaviours become adopted as mainstream practices.
Like conformity, what does obedience generally serve to do?

Answer 10

Like conformity, obedience generally serves to maintain the existing social order

Question 11

Discuss the role of social influence processes in social change (16 marks).
Social change is the process by which society changes its beliefs, attitudes and behaviour to create new social norms, expected ways of thinking and behaviour.
This process occurs continually, but at a gradual pace, with minority influence being the main driving force for social change.
As social change is generally a slow, gradual process of social cryptoamnesia, it allows for change to occur in a manner that is not too disruptive to social order.
Minority influence changes attitudes and behaviour over time, incurring a strong, long-lasting form of conformity, involving fundamental changes in belief systems.
In this way, innovation occurs and new ideas and behaviours become adopted as mainstream practices.
Like conformity, obedience generally serves to maintain the existing social order.
Therefore, as social change occurs, what?

Answer 11

Therefore, as social change occurs, obedience, like conformity, will serve to oversee and uphold the new social order

Question 12

Discuss the role of social influence processes in social change (16 marks).
Social change is the process by which society changes its beliefs, attitudes and behaviour to create new social norms, expected ways of thinking and behaviour.
This process occurs continually, but at a gradual pace, with minority influence being the main driving force for social change.
As social change is generally a slow, gradual process of social cryptoamnesia, it allows for change to occur in a manner that is not too disruptive to social order.
Minority influence changes attitudes and behaviour over time, incurring a strong, long-lasting form of conformity, involving fundamental changes in belief systems.
In this way, innovation occurs and new ideas and behaviours become adopted as mainstream practices.
Like conformity, obedience generally serves to maintain the existing social order.
Therefore, as social change occurs, obedience, like conformity, will serve to oversee and uphold the new social order.
What, for example, will also make the social change more of a social norm, through obedience?

Answer 12

Changes to laws, for example, will also make the social change more of a social norm, through obedience

Question 13

Discuss the role of social influence processes in social change (16 marks).
Social change is the process by which society changes its beliefs, attitudes and behaviour to create new social norms, expected ways of thinking and behaviour.
This process occurs continually, but at a gradual pace, with minority influence being the main driving force for social change.
As social change is generally a slow, gradual process of social cryptoamnesia, it allows for change to occur in a manner that is not too disruptive to social order.
Minority influence changes attitudes and behaviour over time, incurring a strong, long-lasting form of conformity, involving fundamental changes in belief systems.
In this way, innovation occurs and new ideas and behaviours become adopted as mainstream practices.
Like conformity, obedience generally serves to maintain the existing social order.
Therefore, as social change occurs, obedience, like conformity, will serve to oversee and uphold the new social order.
Changes to laws, for example, will also make the social change more of a social norm, through obedience.

First AO3 PEEL paragraph

Answer 13

The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that there is research support for normative influences

Question 14

Discuss the role of social influence processes in social change (16 marks).
Social change is the process by which society changes its beliefs, attitudes and behaviour to create new social norms, expected ways of thinking and behaviour.
This process occurs continually, but at a gradual pace, with minority influence being the main driving force for social change.
As social change is generally a slow, gradual process of social cryptoamnesia, it allows for change to occur in a manner that is not too disruptive to social order.
Minority influence changes attitudes and behaviour over time, incurring a strong, long-lasting form of conformity, involving fundamental changes in belief systems.
In this way, innovation occurs and new ideas and behaviours become adopted as mainstream practices.
Like conformity, obedience generally serves to maintain the existing social order.
Therefore, as social change occurs, obedience, like conformity, will serve to oversee and uphold the new social order.
Changes to laws, for example, will also make the social change more of a social norm, through obedience.

The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that there is research support for normative influences.
Example

Answer 14

For example, Nolan et al. (2008) investigated whether social influence processes led to a reduction in energy consumption in a community.
They hung messages on the front doors of houses in San Diego, California every week for one month.
The key message was that most residents were trying to reduce their energy usage.
As a control, some residents had a different message that just asked them to save energy, but made no reference to other people’s behaviour.
Nolan et al. found significant decreases in energy usage in the first group

Question 15

Discuss the role of social influence processes in social change (16 marks).
Social change is the process by which society changes its beliefs, attitudes and behaviour to create new social norms, expected ways of thinking and behaviour.
This process occurs continually, but at a gradual pace, with minority influence being the main driving force for social change.
As social change is generally a slow, gradual process of social cryptoamnesia, it allows for change to occur in a manner that is not too disruptive to social order.
Minority influence changes attitudes and behaviour over time, incurring a strong, long-lasting form of conformity, involving fundamental changes in belief systems.
In this way, innovation occurs and new ideas and behaviours become adopted as mainstream practices.
Like conformity, obedience generally serves to maintain the existing social order.
Therefore, as social change occurs, obedience, like conformity, will serve to oversee and uphold the new social order.
Changes to laws, for example, will also make the social change more of a social norm, through obedience.

The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that there is research support for normative influences.
For example, Nolan et al. (2008) investigated whether social influence processes led to a reduction in energy consumption in a community.
They hung messages on the front doors of houses in San Diego, California every week for one month.
The key message was that most residents were trying to reduce their energy usage.
As a control, some residents had a different message that just asked them to save energy, but made no reference to other people’s behaviour.
Nolan et al. found significant decreases in energy usage in the first group.
Why is this a strength?

Answer 15

This is a strength, because it shows that conformity can lead to social change through the operation of normative social influence

Question 16

Discuss the role of social influence processes in social change (16 marks).
Social change is the process by which society changes its beliefs, attitudes and behaviour to create new social norms, expected ways of thinking and behaviour.
This process occurs continually, but at a gradual pace, with minority influence being the main driving force for social change.
As social change is generally a slow, gradual process of social cryptoamnesia, it allows for change to occur in a manner that is not too disruptive to social order.
Minority influence changes attitudes and behaviour over time, incurring a strong, long-lasting form of conformity, involving fundamental changes in belief systems.
In this way, innovation occurs and new ideas and behaviours become adopted as mainstream practices.
Like conformity, obedience generally serves to maintain the existing social order.
Therefore, as social change occurs, obedience, like conformity, will serve to oversee and uphold the new social order.
Changes to laws, for example, will also make the social change more of a social norm, through obedience.

The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that there is research support for normative influences.
For example, Nolan et al. (2008) investigated whether social influence processes led to a reduction in energy consumption in a community.
They hung messages on the front doors of houses in San Diego, California every week for one month.
The key message was that most residents were trying to reduce their energy usage.
As a control, some residents had a different message that just asked them to save energy, but made no reference to other people’s behaviour.
Nolan et al. found significant decreases in energy usage in the first group.
This is a strength, because it shows that conformity can lead to social change through the operation of normative social influence.

Second AO3 PEEL paragraph

Answer 16

The second AO3 PEEL paragraph is that However, minority influence is only indirectly effective

Question 17

Discuss the role of social influence processes in social change (16 marks).
Social change is the process by which society changes its beliefs, attitudes and behaviour to create new social norms, expected ways of thinking and behaviour.
This process occurs continually, but at a gradual pace, with minority influence being the main driving force for social change.
As social change is generally a slow, gradual process of social cryptoamnesia, it allows for change to occur in a manner that is not too disruptive to social order.
Minority influence changes attitudes and behaviour over time, incurring a strong, long-lasting form of conformity, involving fundamental changes in belief systems.
In this way, innovation occurs and new ideas and behaviours become adopted as mainstream practices.
Like conformity, obedience generally serves to maintain the existing social order.
Therefore, as social change occurs, obedience, like conformity, will serve to oversee and uphold the new social order.
Changes to laws, for example, will also make the social change more of a social norm, through obedience.

The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that there is research support for normative influences.
For example, Nolan et al. (2008) investigated whether social influence processes led to a reduction in energy consumption in a community.
They hung messages on the front doors of houses in San Diego, California every week for one month.
The key message was that most residents were trying to reduce their energy usage.
As a control, some residents had a different message that just asked them to save energy, but made no reference to other people’s behaviour.
Nolan et al. found significant decreases in energy usage in the first group.
This is a strength, because it shows that conformity can lead to social change through the operation of normative social influence.

The second AO3 PEEL paragraph is that However, minority influence is only indirectly effective.

Answer 17

Social changes happen slowly when they happen at all

Question 18

Discuss the role of social influence processes in social change (16 marks).
Social change is the process by which society changes its beliefs, attitudes and behaviour to create new social norms, expected ways of thinking and behaviour.
This process occurs continually, but at a gradual pace, with minority influence being the main driving force for social change.
As social change is generally a slow, gradual process of social cryptoamnesia, it allows for change to occur in a manner that is not too disruptive to social order.
Minority influence changes attitudes and behaviour over time, incurring a strong, long-lasting form of conformity, involving fundamental changes in belief systems.
In this way, innovation occurs and new ideas and behaviours become adopted as mainstream practices.
Like conformity, obedience generally serves to maintain the existing social order.
Therefore, as social change occurs, obedience, like conformity, will serve to oversee and uphold the new social order.
Changes to laws, for example, will also make the social change more of a social norm, through obedience.

The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that there is research support for normative influences.
For example, Nolan et al. (2008) investigated whether social influence processes led to a reduction in energy consumption in a community.
They hung messages on the front doors of houses in San Diego, California every week for one month.
The key message was that most residents were trying to reduce their energy usage.
As a control, some residents had a different message that just asked them to save energy, but made no reference to other people’s behaviour.
Nolan et al. found significant decreases in energy usage in the first group.
This is a strength, because it shows that conformity can lead to social change through the operation of normative social influence.

The second AO3 PEEL paragraph is that However, minority influence is only indirectly effective.
Social changes happen slowly when they happen at all.
Example

Answer 18

For example, it has taken decades for attitudes against drink-driving and smoking to shift and women who actively campaigned for the vote were seen as deviant (and worse), but 70 years later, they were celebrated as social reformers on British postage stamps

Question 19

Discuss the role of social influence processes in social change (16 marks).
Social change is the process by which society changes its beliefs, attitudes and behaviour to create new social norms, expected ways of thinking and behaviour.
This process occurs continually, but at a gradual pace, with minority influence being the main driving force for social change.
As social change is generally a slow, gradual process of social cryptoamnesia, it allows for change to occur in a manner that is not too disruptive to social order.
Minority influence changes attitudes and behaviour over time, incurring a strong, long-lasting form of conformity, involving fundamental changes in belief systems.
In this way, innovation occurs and new ideas and behaviours become adopted as mainstream practices.
Like conformity, obedience generally serves to maintain the existing social order.
Therefore, as social change occurs, obedience, like conformity, will serve to oversee and uphold the new social order.
Changes to laws, for example, will also make the social change more of a social norm, through obedience.

The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that there is research support for normative influences.
For example, Nolan et al. (2008) investigated whether social influence processes led to a reduction in energy consumption in a community.
They hung messages on the front doors of houses in San Diego, California every week for one month.
The key message was that most residents were trying to reduce their energy usage.
As a control, some residents had a different message that just asked them to save energy, but made no reference to other people’s behaviour.
Nolan et al. found significant decreases in energy usage in the first group.
This is a strength, because it shows that conformity can lead to social change through the operation of normative social influence.

The second AO3 PEEL paragraph is that However, minority influence is only indirectly effective.
Social changes happen slowly when they happen at all.
For example, it has taken decades for attitudes against drink-driving and smoking to shift and women who actively campaigned for the vote were seen as deviant (and worse), but 70 years later, they were celebrated as social reformers on British postage stamps.
Who is this supported by?

Answer 19

This is supported by Nemeth (1986), who argues that the effects of minority influence are likely to be mostly indirect and delayed

Question 20

Discuss the role of social influence processes in social change (16 marks).
Social change is the process by which society changes its beliefs, attitudes and behaviour to create new social norms, expected ways of thinking and behaviour.
This process occurs continually, but at a gradual pace, with minority influence being the main driving force for social change.
As social change is generally a slow, gradual process of social cryptoamnesia, it allows for change to occur in a manner that is not too disruptive to social order.
Minority influence changes attitudes and behaviour over time, incurring a strong, long-lasting form of conformity, involving fundamental changes in belief systems.
In this way, innovation occurs and new ideas and behaviours become adopted as mainstream practices.
Like conformity, obedience generally serves to maintain the existing social order.
Therefore, as social change occurs, obedience, like conformity, will serve to oversee and uphold the new social order.
Changes to laws, for example, will also make the social change more of a social norm, through obedience.

The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that there is research support for normative influences.
For example, Nolan et al. (2008) investigated whether social influence processes led to a reduction in energy consumption in a community.
They hung messages on the front doors of houses in San Diego, California every week for one month.
The key message was that most residents were trying to reduce their energy usage.
As a control, some residents had a different message that just asked them to save energy, but made no reference to other people’s behaviour.
Nolan et al. found significant decreases in energy usage in the first group.
This is a strength, because it shows that conformity can lead to social change through the operation of normative social influence.

The second AO3 PEEL paragraph is that However, minority influence is only indirectly effective.
Social changes happen slowly when they happen at all.
For example, it has taken decades for attitudes against drink-driving and smoking to shift and women who actively campaigned for the vote were seen as deviant (and worse), but 70 years later, they were celebrated as social reformers on British postage stamps.
This is supported by Nemeth (1986), who argues that the effects of minority influence are likely to be mostly indirect and delayed.
Why are they indirect?

Answer 20

They are indirect, because the majority is influenced on matters only related to the issue at hand, and not the central issue itself

Question 21

Discuss the role of social influence processes in social change (16 marks).
Social change is the process by which society changes its beliefs, attitudes and behaviour to create new social norms, expected ways of thinking and behaviour.
This process occurs continually, but at a gradual pace, with minority influence being the main driving force for social change.
As social change is generally a slow, gradual process of social cryptoamnesia, it allows for change to occur in a manner that is not too disruptive to social order.
Minority influence changes attitudes and behaviour over time, incurring a strong, long-lasting form of conformity, involving fundamental changes in belief systems.
In this way, innovation occurs and new ideas and behaviours become adopted as mainstream practices.
Like conformity, obedience generally serves to maintain the existing social order.
Therefore, as social change occurs, obedience, like conformity, will serve to oversee and uphold the new social order.
Changes to laws, for example, will also make the social change more of a social norm, through obedience.

The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that there is research support for normative influences.
For example, Nolan et al. (2008) investigated whether social influence processes led to a reduction in energy consumption in a community.
They hung messages on the front doors of houses in San Diego, California every week for one month.
The key message was that most residents were trying to reduce their energy usage.
As a control, some residents had a different message that just asked them to save energy, but made no reference to other people’s behaviour.
Nolan et al. found significant decreases in energy usage in the first group.
This is a strength, because it shows that conformity can lead to social change through the operation of normative social influence.

The second AO3 PEEL paragraph is that However, minority influence is only indirectly effective.
Social changes happen slowly when they happen at all.
For example, it has taken decades for attitudes against drink-driving and smoking to shift and women who actively campaigned for the vote were seen as deviant (and worse), but 70 years later, they were celebrated as social reformers on British postage stamps.
This is supported by Nemeth (1986), who argues that the effects of minority influence are likely to be mostly indirect and delayed.
They are indirect, because the majority is influenced on matters only related to the issue at hand, and not the central issue itself.
Why are they delayed?

Answer 21

They are delayed, because the effects may not be seen for some time

Question 22

Discuss the role of social influence processes in social change (16 marks).
Social change is the process by which society changes its beliefs, attitudes and behaviour to create new social norms, expected ways of thinking and behaviour.
This process occurs continually, but at a gradual pace, with minority influence being the main driving force for social change.
As social change is generally a slow, gradual process of social cryptoamnesia, it allows for change to occur in a manner that is not too disruptive to social order.
Minority influence changes attitudes and behaviour over time, incurring a strong, long-lasting form of conformity, involving fundamental changes in belief systems.
In this way, innovation occurs and new ideas and behaviours become adopted as mainstream practices.
Like conformity, obedience generally serves to maintain the existing social order.
Therefore, as social change occurs, obedience, like conformity, will serve to oversee and uphold the new social order.
Changes to laws, for example, will also make the social change more of a social norm, through obedience.

The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that there is research support for normative influences.
For example, Nolan et al. (2008) investigated whether social influence processes led to a reduction in energy consumption in a community.
They hung messages on the front doors of houses in San Diego, California every week for one month.
The key message was that most residents were trying to reduce their energy usage.
As a control, some residents had a different message that just asked them to save energy, but made no reference to other people’s behaviour.
Nolan et al. found significant decreases in energy usage in the first group.
This is a strength, because it shows that conformity can lead to social change through the operation of normative social influence.

The second AO3 PEEL paragraph is that However, minority influence is only indirectly effective.
Social changes happen slowly when they happen at all.
For example, it has taken decades for attitudes against drink-driving and smoking to shift and women who actively campaigned for the vote were seen as deviant (and worse), but 70 years later, they were celebrated as social reformers on British postage stamps.
This is supported by Nemeth (1986), who argues that the effects of minority influence are likely to be mostly indirect and delayed.
They are indirect, because the majority is influenced on matters only related to the issue at hand, and not the central issue itself.
They are delayed, because the effects may not be seen for some time.
This

Answer 22

This could be considered a limitation of using minority influence to explain social change, because it shows that its effects are fragile and its role in social influence is very limited

Question 23

Discuss the role of social influence processes in social change (16 marks).
Social change is the process by which society changes its beliefs, attitudes and behaviour to create new social norms, expected ways of thinking and behaviour.
This process occurs continually, but at a gradual pace, with minority influence being the main driving force for social change.
As social change is generally a slow, gradual process of social cryptoamnesia, it allows for change to occur in a manner that is not too disruptive to social order.
Minority influence changes attitudes and behaviour over time, incurring a strong, long-lasting form of conformity, involving fundamental changes in belief systems.
In this way, innovation occurs and new ideas and behaviours become adopted as mainstream practices.
Like conformity, obedience generally serves to maintain the existing social order.
Therefore, as social change occurs, obedience, like conformity, will serve to oversee and uphold the new social order.
Changes to laws, for example, will also make the social change more of a social norm, through obedience.

The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that there is research support for normative influences.
For example, Nolan et al. (2008) investigated whether social influence processes led to a reduction in energy consumption in a community.
They hung messages on the front doors of houses in San Diego, California every week for one month.
The key message was that most residents were trying to reduce their energy usage.
As a control, some residents had a different message that just asked them to save energy, but made no reference to other people’s behaviour.
Nolan et al. found significant decreases in energy usage in the first group.
This is a strength, because it shows that conformity can lead to social change through the operation of normative social influence.

The second AO3 PEEL paragraph is that However, minority influence is only indirectly effective.
Social changes happen slowly when they happen at all.
For example, it has taken decades for attitudes against drink-driving and smoking to shift and women who actively campaigned for the vote were seen as deviant (and worse), but 70 years later, they were celebrated as social reformers on British postage stamps.
This is supported by Nemeth (1986), who argues that the effects of minority influence are likely to be mostly indirect and delayed.
They are indirect, because the majority is influenced on matters only related to the issue at hand, and not the central issue itself.
They are delayed, because the effects may not be seen for some time.
This could be considered a limitation of using minority influence to explain social change, because it shows that its effects are fragile and its role in social influence is very limited.

Third AO3 PEEL paragraph

Answer 23

The third AO3 PEEL paragraph is that Moscovici’s conversion explanation of minority influence argues that minority and majority influence involve different cognitive processes, meaning that minority influence causes individuals to think more deeply about an issue than majority influence (conformity)

Question 24

Discuss the role of social influence processes in social change (16 marks).
Social change is the process by which society changes its beliefs, attitudes and behaviour to create new social norms, expected ways of thinking and behaviour.
This process occurs continually, but at a gradual pace, with minority influence being the main driving force for social change.
As social change is generally a slow, gradual process of social cryptoamnesia, it allows for change to occur in a manner that is not too disruptive to social order.
Minority influence changes attitudes and behaviour over time, incurring a strong, long-lasting form of conformity, involving fundamental changes in belief systems.
In this way, innovation occurs and new ideas and behaviours become adopted as mainstream practices.
Like conformity, obedience generally serves to maintain the existing social order.
Therefore, as social change occurs, obedience, like conformity, will serve to oversee and uphold the new social order.
Changes to laws, for example, will also make the social change more of a social norm, through obedience.

The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that there is research support for normative influences.
For example, Nolan et al. (2008) investigated whether social influence processes led to a reduction in energy consumption in a community.
They hung messages on the front doors of houses in San Diego, California every week for one month.
The key message was that most residents were trying to reduce their energy usage.
As a control, some residents had a different message that just asked them to save energy, but made no reference to other people’s behaviour.
Nolan et al. found significant decreases in energy usage in the first group.
This is a strength, because it shows that conformity can lead to social change through the operation of normative social influence.

The second AO3 PEEL paragraph is that However, minority influence is only indirectly effective.
Social changes happen slowly when they happen at all.
For example, it has taken decades for attitudes against drink-driving and smoking to shift and women who actively campaigned for the vote were seen as deviant (and worse), but 70 years later, they were celebrated as social reformers on British postage stamps.
This is supported by Nemeth (1986), who argues that the effects of minority influence are likely to be mostly indirect and delayed.
They are indirect, because the majority is influenced on matters only related to the issue at hand, and not the central issue itself.
They are delayed, because the effects may not be seen for some time.
This could be considered a limitation of using minority influence to explain social change, because it shows that its effects are fragile and its role in social influence is very limited.

The third AO3 PEEL paragraph is that Moscovici’s conversion explanation of minority influence argues that minority and majority influence involve different cognitive processes, meaning that minority influence causes individuals to think more deeply about an issue than majority influence (conformity).

Answer 24

Diane Mackie (1987) however, disagrees and presents evidence that it is majority influence that may create deeper processing if you do not share their views

Question 25

Discuss the role of social influence processes in social change (16 marks).
Social change is the process by which society changes its beliefs, attitudes and behaviour to create new social norms, expected ways of thinking and behaviour.
This process occurs continually, but at a gradual pace, with minority influence being the main driving force for social change.
As social change is generally a slow, gradual process of social cryptoamnesia, it allows for change to occur in a manner that is not too disruptive to social order.
Minority influence changes attitudes and behaviour over time, incurring a strong, long-lasting form of conformity, involving fundamental changes in belief systems.
In this way, innovation occurs and new ideas and behaviours become adopted as mainstream practices.
Like conformity, obedience generally serves to maintain the existing social order.
Therefore, as social change occurs, obedience, like conformity, will serve to oversee and uphold the new social order.
Changes to laws, for example, will also make the social change more of a social norm, through obedience.

The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that there is research support for normative influences.
For example, Nolan et al. (2008) investigated whether social influence processes led to a reduction in energy consumption in a community.
They hung messages on the front doors of houses in San Diego, California every week for one month.
The key message was that most residents were trying to reduce their energy usage.
As a control, some residents had a different message that just asked them to save energy, but made no reference to other people’s behaviour.
Nolan et al. found significant decreases in energy usage in the first group.
This is a strength, because it shows that conformity can lead to social change through the operation of normative social influence.

The second AO3 PEEL paragraph is that However, minority influence is only indirectly effective.
Social changes happen slowly when they happen at all.
For example, it has taken decades for attitudes against drink-driving and smoking to shift and women who actively campaigned for the vote were seen as deviant (and worse), but 70 years later, they were celebrated as social reformers on British postage stamps.
This is supported by Nemeth (1986), who argues that the effects of minority influence are likely to be mostly indirect and delayed.
They are indirect, because the majority is influenced on matters only related to the issue at hand, and not the central issue itself.
They are delayed, because the effects may not be seen for some time.
This could be considered a limitation of using minority influence to explain social change, because it shows that its effects are fragile and its role in social influence is very limited.

The third AO3 PEEL paragraph is that Moscovici’s conversion explanation of minority influence argues that minority and majority influence involve different cognitive processes, meaning that minority influence causes individuals to think more deeply about an issue than majority influence (conformity).
Diane Mackie (1987) however, disagrees and presents evidence that it is majority influence that may create deeper processing if you do not share their views.
Why is this?

Answer 25

This is because we like to believe that other people share our views and think in the same ways as us

Question 26

Discuss the role of social influence processes in social change (16 marks).
Social change is the process by which society changes its beliefs, attitudes and behaviour to create new social norms, expected ways of thinking and behaviour.
This process occurs continually, but at a gradual pace, with minority influence being the main driving force for social change.
As social change is generally a slow, gradual process of social cryptoamnesia, it allows for change to occur in a manner that is not too disruptive to social order.
Minority influence changes attitudes and behaviour over time, incurring a strong, long-lasting form of conformity, involving fundamental changes in belief systems.
In this way, innovation occurs and new ideas and behaviours become adopted as mainstream practices.
Like conformity, obedience generally serves to maintain the existing social order.
Therefore, as social change occurs, obedience, like conformity, will serve to oversee and uphold the new social order.
Changes to laws, for example, will also make the social change more of a social norm, through obedience.

The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that there is research support for normative influences.
For example, Nolan et al. (2008) investigated whether social influence processes led to a reduction in energy consumption in a community.
They hung messages on the front doors of houses in San Diego, California every week for one month.
The key message was that most residents were trying to reduce their energy usage.
As a control, some residents had a different message that just asked them to save energy, but made no reference to other people’s behaviour.
Nolan et al. found significant decreases in energy usage in the first group.
This is a strength, because it shows that conformity can lead to social change through the operation of normative social influence.

The second AO3 PEEL paragraph is that However, minority influence is only indirectly effective.
Social changes happen slowly when they happen at all.
For example, it has taken decades for attitudes against drink-driving and smoking to shift and women who actively campaigned for the vote were seen as deviant (and worse), but 70 years later, they were celebrated as social reformers on British postage stamps.
This is supported by Nemeth (1986), who argues that the effects of minority influence are likely to be mostly indirect and delayed.
They are indirect, because the majority is influenced on matters only related to the issue at hand, and not the central issue itself.
They are delayed, because the effects may not be seen for some time.
This could be considered a limitation of using minority influence to explain social change, because it shows that its effects are fragile and its role in social influence is very limited.

The third AO3 PEEL paragraph is that Moscovici’s conversion explanation of minority influence argues that minority and majority influence involve different cognitive processes, meaning that minority influence causes individuals to think more deeply about an issue than majority influence (conformity).
Diane Mackie (1987) however, disagrees and presents evidence that it is majority influence that may create deeper processing if you do not share their views.
This is because we like to believe that other people share our views and think in the same ways as us.

Answer 26

When we find that a majority believes something different, then we are forced to think long and hard about their arguments and reasoning

Question 27

Discuss the role of social influence processes in social change (16 marks).
Social change is the process by which society changes its beliefs, attitudes and behaviour to create new social norms, expected ways of thinking and behaviour.
This process occurs continually, but at a gradual pace, with minority influence being the main driving force for social change.
As social change is generally a slow, gradual process of social cryptoamnesia, it allows for change to occur in a manner that is not too disruptive to social order.
Minority influence changes attitudes and behaviour over time, incurring a strong, long-lasting form of conformity, involving fundamental changes in belief systems.
In this way, innovation occurs and new ideas and behaviours become adopted as mainstream practices.
Like conformity, obedience generally serves to maintain the existing social order.
Therefore, as social change occurs, obedience, like conformity, will serve to oversee and uphold the new social order.
Changes to laws, for example, will also make the social change more of a social norm, through obedience.

The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that there is research support for normative influences.
For example, Nolan et al. (2008) investigated whether social influence processes led to a reduction in energy consumption in a community.
They hung messages on the front doors of houses in San Diego, California every week for one month.
The key message was that most residents were trying to reduce their energy usage.
As a control, some residents had a different message that just asked them to save energy, but made no reference to other people’s behaviour.
Nolan et al. found significant decreases in energy usage in the first group.
This is a strength, because it shows that conformity can lead to social change through the operation of normative social influence.

The second AO3 PEEL paragraph is that However, minority influence is only indirectly effective.
Social changes happen slowly when they happen at all.
For example, it has taken decades for attitudes against drink-driving and smoking to shift and women who actively campaigned for the vote were seen as deviant (and worse), but 70 years later, they were celebrated as social reformers on British postage stamps.
This is supported by Nemeth (1986), who argues that the effects of minority influence are likely to be mostly indirect and delayed.
They are indirect, because the majority is influenced on matters only related to the issue at hand, and not the central issue itself.
They are delayed, because the effects may not be seen for some time.
This could be considered a limitation of using minority influence to explain social change, because it shows that its effects are fragile and its role in social influence is very limited.

The third AO3 PEEL paragraph is that Moscovici’s conversion explanation of minority influence argues that minority and majority influence involve different cognitive processes, meaning that minority influence causes individuals to think more deeply about an issue than majority influence (conformity).
Diane Mackie (1987) however, disagrees and presents evidence that it is majority influence that may create deeper processing if you do not share their views.
This is because we like to believe that other people share our views and think in the same ways as us.
When we find that a majority believes something different, then we are forced to think long and hard about their arguments and reasoning.
What does this mean?

Answer 27

This means that a central element of the process of minority influence has been challenged and may be incorrect, casting doubt on the validity of Moscovici’s theory

Question 28

Discuss the role of social influence processes in social change (16 marks).
Social change is the process by which society changes its beliefs, attitudes and behaviour to create new social norms, expected ways of thinking and behaviour.
This process occurs continually, but at a gradual pace, with minority influence being the main driving force for social change.
As social change is generally a slow, gradual process of social cryptoamnesia, it allows for change to occur in a manner that is not too disruptive to social order.
Minority influence changes attitudes and behaviour over time, incurring a strong, long-lasting form of conformity, involving fundamental changes in belief systems.
In this way, innovation occurs and new ideas and behaviours become adopted as mainstream practices.
Like conformity, obedience generally serves to maintain the existing social order.
Therefore, as social change occurs, obedience, like conformity, will serve to oversee and uphold the new social order.
Changes to laws, for example, will also make the social change more of a social norm, through obedience.

The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that there is research support for normative influences.
For example, Nolan et al. (2008) investigated whether social influence processes led to a reduction in energy consumption in a community.
They hung messages on the front doors of houses in San Diego, California every week for one month.
The key message was that most residents were trying to reduce their energy usage.
As a control, some residents had a different message that just asked them to save energy, but made no reference to other people’s behaviour.
Nolan et al. found significant decreases in energy usage in the first group.
This is a strength, because it shows that conformity can lead to social change through the operation of normative social influence.

The second AO3 PEEL paragraph is that However, minority influence is only indirectly effective.
Social changes happen slowly when they happen at all.
For example, it has taken decades for attitudes against drink-driving and smoking to shift and women who actively campaigned for the vote were seen as deviant (and worse), but 70 years later, they were celebrated as social reformers on British postage stamps.
This is supported by Nemeth (1986), who argues that the effects of minority influence are likely to be mostly indirect and delayed.
They are indirect, because the majority is influenced on matters only related to the issue at hand, and not the central issue itself.
They are delayed, because the effects may not be seen for some time.
This could be considered a limitation of using minority influence to explain social change, because it shows that its effects are fragile and its role in social influence is very limited.

The third AO3 PEEL paragraph is that Moscovici’s conversion explanation of minority influence argues that minority and majority influence involve different cognitive processes, meaning that minority influence causes individuals to think more deeply about an issue than majority influence (conformity).
Diane Mackie (1987) however, disagrees and presents evidence that it is majority influence that may create deeper processing if you do not share their views.
This is because we like to believe that other people share our views and think in the same ways as us.
When we find that a majority believes something different, then we are forced to think long and hard about their arguments and reasoning.
This means that a central element of the process of minority influence has been challenged and may be incorrect, casting doubt on the validity of Moscovici’s theory.

Fourth AO3 PEEL paragraph

Answer 28

The fourth AO3 PEEL paragraph is that there are barriers to social change

Question 29

Discuss the role of social influence processes in social change (16 marks).
Social change is the process by which society changes its beliefs, attitudes and behaviour to create new social norms, expected ways of thinking and behaviour.
This process occurs continually, but at a gradual pace, with minority influence being the main driving force for social change.
As social change is generally a slow, gradual process of social cryptoamnesia, it allows for change to occur in a manner that is not too disruptive to social order.
Minority influence changes attitudes and behaviour over time, incurring a strong, long-lasting form of conformity, involving fundamental changes in belief systems.
In this way, innovation occurs and new ideas and behaviours become adopted as mainstream practices.
Like conformity, obedience generally serves to maintain the existing social order.
Therefore, as social change occurs, obedience, like conformity, will serve to oversee and uphold the new social order.
Changes to laws, for example, will also make the social change more of a social norm, through obedience.

The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that there is research support for normative influences.
For example, Nolan et al. (2008) investigated whether social influence processes led to a reduction in energy consumption in a community.
They hung messages on the front doors of houses in San Diego, California every week for one month.
The key message was that most residents were trying to reduce their energy usage.
As a control, some residents had a different message that just asked them to save energy, but made no reference to other people’s behaviour.
Nolan et al. found significant decreases in energy usage in the first group.
This is a strength, because it shows that conformity can lead to social change through the operation of normative social influence.

The second AO3 PEEL paragraph is that However, minority influence is only indirectly effective.
Social changes happen slowly when they happen at all.
For example, it has taken decades for attitudes against drink-driving and smoking to shift and women who actively campaigned for the vote were seen as deviant (and worse), but 70 years later, they were celebrated as social reformers on British postage stamps.
This is supported by Nemeth (1986), who argues that the effects of minority influence are likely to be mostly indirect and delayed.
They are indirect, because the majority is influenced on matters only related to the issue at hand, and not the central issue itself.
They are delayed, because the effects may not be seen for some time.
This could be considered a limitation of using minority influence to explain social change, because it shows that its effects are fragile and its role in social influence is very limited.

The third AO3 PEEL paragraph is that Moscovici’s conversion explanation of minority influence argues that minority and majority influence involve different cognitive processes, meaning that minority influence causes individuals to think more deeply about an issue than majority influence (conformity).
Diane Mackie (1987) however, disagrees and presents evidence that it is majority influence that may create deeper processing if you do not share their views.
This is because we like to believe that other people share our views and think in the same ways as us.
When we find that a majority believes something different, then we are forced to think long and hard about their arguments and reasoning.
This means that a central element of the process of minority influence has been challenged and may be incorrect, casting doubt on the validity of Moscovici’s theory.

The fourth AO3 PEEL paragraph is that there are barriers to social change.

Answer 29

Bashir et al. (2013) investigated why people so often resist social change, even when they agree that it is necessary

Question 30

Discuss the role of social influence processes in social change (16 marks).
Social change is the process by which society changes its beliefs, attitudes and behaviour to create new social norms, expected ways of thinking and behaviour.
This process occurs continually, but at a gradual pace, with minority influence being the main driving force for social change.
As social change is generally a slow, gradual process of social cryptoamnesia, it allows for change to occur in a manner that is not too disruptive to social order.
Minority influence changes attitudes and behaviour over time, incurring a strong, long-lasting form of conformity, involving fundamental changes in belief systems.
In this way, innovation occurs and new ideas and behaviours become adopted as mainstream practices.
Like conformity, obedience generally serves to maintain the existing social order.
Therefore, as social change occurs, obedience, like conformity, will serve to oversee and uphold the new social order.
Changes to laws, for example, will also make the social change more of a social norm, through obedience.

The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that there is research support for normative influences.
For example, Nolan et al. (2008) investigated whether social influence processes led to a reduction in energy consumption in a community.
They hung messages on the front doors of houses in San Diego, California every week for one month.
The key message was that most residents were trying to reduce their energy usage.
As a control, some residents had a different message that just asked them to save energy, but made no reference to other people’s behaviour.
Nolan et al. found significant decreases in energy usage in the first group.
This is a strength, because it shows that conformity can lead to social change through the operation of normative social influence.

The second AO3 PEEL paragraph is that However, minority influence is only indirectly effective.
Social changes happen slowly when they happen at all.
For example, it has taken decades for attitudes against drink-driving and smoking to shift and women who actively campaigned for the vote were seen as deviant (and worse), but 70 years later, they were celebrated as social reformers on British postage stamps.
This is supported by Nemeth (1986), who argues that the effects of minority influence are likely to be mostly indirect and delayed.
They are indirect, because the majority is influenced on matters only related to the issue at hand, and not the central issue itself.
They are delayed, because the effects may not be seen for some time.
This could be considered a limitation of using minority influence to explain social change, because it shows that its effects are fragile and its role in social influence is very limited.

The third AO3 PEEL paragraph is that Moscovici’s conversion explanation of minority influence argues that minority and majority influence involve different cognitive processes, meaning that minority influence causes individuals to think more deeply about an issue than majority influence (conformity).
Diane Mackie (1987) however, disagrees and presents evidence that it is majority influence that may create deeper processing if you do not share their views.
This is because we like to believe that other people share our views and think in the same ways as us.
When we find that a majority believes something different, then we are forced to think long and hard about their arguments and reasoning.
This means that a central element of the process of minority influence has been challenged and may be incorrect, casting doubt on the validity of Moscovici’s theory.

The fourth AO3 PEEL paragraph is that there are barriers to social change.
Bashir et al. (2013) investigated why people so often resist social change, even when they agree that it is necessary.
Example

Answer 30

For example, the researchers found that their participants were less likely to behave in environmentally friendly ways, because they did not want to be associated with stereotypical and minority ‘environmentalists.’
They rated environmental activists and feminists in negative ways, describing them as ‘tree huggers’ and ‘man haters’

Question 31

Discuss the role of social influence processes in social change (16 marks).
Social change is the process by which society changes its beliefs, attitudes and behaviour to create new social norms, expected ways of thinking and behaviour.
This process occurs continually, but at a gradual pace, with minority influence being the main driving force for social change.
As social change is generally a slow, gradual process of social cryptoamnesia, it allows for change to occur in a manner that is not too disruptive to social order.
Minority influence changes attitudes and behaviour over time, incurring a strong, long-lasting form of conformity, involving fundamental changes in belief systems.
In this way, innovation occurs and new ideas and behaviours become adopted as mainstream practices.
Like conformity, obedience generally serves to maintain the existing social order.
Therefore, as social change occurs, obedience, like conformity, will serve to oversee and uphold the new social order.
Changes to laws, for example, will also make the social change more of a social norm, through obedience.

The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that there is research support for normative influences.
For example, Nolan et al. (2008) investigated whether social influence processes led to a reduction in energy consumption in a community.
They hung messages on the front doors of houses in San Diego, California every week for one month.
The key message was that most residents were trying to reduce their energy usage.
As a control, some residents had a different message that just asked them to save energy, but made no reference to other people’s behaviour.
Nolan et al. found significant decreases in energy usage in the first group.
This is a strength, because it shows that conformity can lead to social change through the operation of normative social influence.

The second AO3 PEEL paragraph is that However, minority influence is only indirectly effective.
Social changes happen slowly when they happen at all.
For example, it has taken decades for attitudes against drink-driving and smoking to shift and women who actively campaigned for the vote were seen as deviant (and worse), but 70 years later, they were celebrated as social reformers on British postage stamps.
This is supported by Nemeth (1986), who argues that the effects of minority influence are likely to be mostly indirect and delayed.
They are indirect, because the majority is influenced on matters only related to the issue at hand, and not the central issue itself.
They are delayed, because the effects may not be seen for some time.
This could be considered a limitation of using minority influence to explain social change, because it shows that its effects are fragile and its role in social influence is very limited.

The third AO3 PEEL paragraph is that Moscovici’s conversion explanation of minority influence argues that minority and majority influence involve different cognitive processes, meaning that minority influence causes individuals to think more deeply about an issue than majority influence (conformity).
Diane Mackie (1987) however, disagrees and presents evidence that it is majority influence that may create deeper processing if you do not share their views.
This is because we like to believe that other people share our views and think in the same ways as us.
When we find that a majority believes something different, then we are forced to think long and hard about their arguments and reasoning.
This means that a central element of the process of minority influence has been challenged and may be incorrect, casting doubt on the validity of Moscovici’s theory.

The fourth AO3 PEEL paragraph is that there are barriers to social change.
Bashir et al. (2013) investigated why people so often resist social change, even when they agree that it is necessary.
For example, the researchers found that their participants were less likely to behave in environmentally friendly ways, because they did not want to be associated with stereotypical and minority ‘environmentalists.’
They rated environmental activists and feminists in negative ways, describing them as ‘tree huggers’ and ‘man haters’.
What is the researchers’ advice to minorities hoping to create social change?

Answer 31

The researchers’ advice to minorities hoping to create social change is to avoid behaving in ways that reinforce the stereotypes, because this will always be off-putting to the majority they want to influence

Question 32

Discuss the role of social influence processes in social change (16 marks).
Social change is the process by which society changes its beliefs, attitudes and behaviour to create new social norms, expected ways of thinking and behaviour.
This process occurs continually, but at a gradual pace, with minority influence being the main driving force for social change.
As social change is generally a slow, gradual process of social cryptoamnesia, it allows for change to occur in a manner that is not too disruptive to social order.
Minority influence changes attitudes and behaviour over time, incurring a strong, long-lasting form of conformity, involving fundamental changes in belief systems.
In this way, innovation occurs and new ideas and behaviours become adopted as mainstream practices.
Like conformity, obedience generally serves to maintain the existing social order.
Therefore, as social change occurs, obedience, like conformity, will serve to oversee and uphold the new social order.
Changes to laws, for example, will also make the social change more of a social norm, through obedience.

The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that there is research support for normative influences.
For example, Nolan et al. (2008) investigated whether social influence processes led to a reduction in energy consumption in a community.
They hung messages on the front doors of houses in San Diego, California every week for one month.
The key message was that most residents were trying to reduce their energy usage.
As a control, some residents had a different message that just asked them to save energy, but made no reference to other people’s behaviour.
Nolan et al. found significant decreases in energy usage in the first group.
This is a strength, because it shows that conformity can lead to social change through the operation of normative social influence.

The second AO3 PEEL paragraph is that However, minority influence is only indirectly effective.
Social changes happen slowly when they happen at all.
For example, it has taken decades for attitudes against drink-driving and smoking to shift and women who actively campaigned for the vote were seen as deviant (and worse), but 70 years later, they were celebrated as social reformers on British postage stamps.
This is supported by Nemeth (1986), who argues that the effects of minority influence are likely to be mostly indirect and delayed.
They are indirect, because the majority is influenced on matters only related to the issue at hand, and not the central issue itself.
They are delayed, because the effects may not be seen for some time.
This could be considered a limitation of using minority influence to explain social change, because it shows that its effects are fragile and its role in social influence is very limited.

The third AO3 PEEL paragraph is that Moscovici’s conversion explanation of minority influence argues that minority and majority influence involve different cognitive processes, meaning that minority influence causes individuals to think more deeply about an issue than majority influence (conformity).
Diane Mackie (1987) however, disagrees and presents evidence that it is majority influence that may create deeper processing if you do not share their views.
This is because we like to believe that other people share our views and think in the same ways as us.
When we find that a majority believes something different, then we are forced to think long and hard about their arguments and reasoning.
This means that a central element of the process of minority influence has been challenged and may be incorrect, casting doubt on the validity of Moscovici’s theory.

The fourth AO3 PEEL paragraph is that there are barriers to social change.
Bashir et al. (2013) investigated why people so often resist social change, even when they agree that it is necessary.
For example, the researchers found that their participants were less likely to behave in environmentally friendly ways, because they did not want to be associated with stereotypical and minority ‘environmentalists.’
They rated environmental activists and feminists in negative ways, describing them as ‘tree huggers’ and ‘man haters’.
The researchers’ advice to minorities hoping to create social change is to avoid behaving in ways that reinforce the stereotypes, because this will always be off-putting to the majority they want to influence.
What does this do?

Answer 32

This overall supports the role of minority influence, but shows that minorities hoping to create social change should be innovative in order to successfully do so