1.10: Social change

Question 1

Social influence research helps us to understand how it is possible to change people’s behaviour: for example, understanding how to persuade people to eat more healthily.

With reference to this example of social change, explain how psychology might affect the economy (4 marks)

Answer 1

Social influence research tells us how behaviour and attitudes can be changed

Question 2

Social influence research helps us to understand how it is possible to change people’s behaviour: for example, understanding how to persuade people to eat more healthily.

With reference to this example of social change, explain how psychology might affect the economy (4 marks).
Social influence research tells us how behaviour and attitudes can be changed.
Example

Answer 2

For example, how minority influence can be exerted or how people tend to conform to perceived norms

Question 3

Social influence research helps us to understand how it is possible to change people’s behaviour: for example, understanding how to persuade people to eat more healthily.

With reference to this example of social change, explain how psychology might affect the economy (4 marks).
Social influence research tells us how behaviour and attitudes can be changed.
For example, how minority influence can be exerted or how people tend to conform to perceived norms.
In this case, what does the resulting change of eating more healthily mean?

Answer 3

In this case, the resulting change of eating more healthily means that people should be more healthy

Question 4

Social influence research helps us to understand how it is possible to change people’s behaviour: for example, understanding how to persuade people to eat more healthily.

With reference to this example of social change, explain how psychology might affect the economy (4 marks).
Social influence research tells us how behaviour and attitudes can be changed.
For example, how minority influence can be exerted or how people tend to conform to perceived norms.
In this case, the resulting change of eating more healthily means that people should be more healthy.
What is the economic implication?

Answer 4

The economic implication is that it saves healthcare resources

Question 5

Social influence research helps us to understand how it is possible to change people’s behaviour: for example, understanding how to persuade people to eat more healthily.

With reference to this example of social change, explain how psychology might affect the economy (4 marks).
Social influence research tells us how behaviour and attitudes can be changed.
For example, how minority influence can be exerted or how people tend to conform to perceived norms.
In this case, the resulting change of eating more healthily means that people should be more healthy.
The economic implication is that it saves healthcare resources.
What does this mean?

Answer 5

This means that people have less time off work sick

Question 6

Explain how social influence processes contribute to social change (4 marks)

Answer 6

Minorities contribute to social change by being consistent, flexible and non-dogmatic

Question 7

Explain how social influence processes contribute to social change (4 marks).
Minorities contribute to social change by being consistent, flexible and non-dogmatic.
Through what, gradually the minority turns into the majority?

Answer 7

Through social crypto-amnesia and the snowball effect, gradually the minority turns into the majority

Question 8

Explain how social influence processes contribute to social change (4 marks).
Minorities contribute to social change by being consistent, flexible and non-dogmatic.
Through social crypto-amnesia and the snowball effect, gradually the minority turns into the majority.
What is there also the influence of?

Answer 8

There is also the influence of obedience

Question 9

Explain how social influence processes contribute to social change (4 marks).
Minorities contribute to social change by being consistent, flexible and non-dogmatic.
Through social crypto-amnesia and the snowball effect, gradually the minority turns into the majority.
There is also the influence of obedience.
Example

Answer 9

For example, changes to the laws that make a certain behaviour more of a social norm, which others then adopt

Question 10

Explain how social influence processes contribute to social change (4 marks).
Minorities contribute to social change by being consistent, flexible and non-dogmatic.
Through social crypto-amnesia and the snowball effect, gradually the minority turns into the majority.
There is also the influence of obedience.
For example, changes to the laws that make a certain behaviour more of a social norm, which others then adopt.
How can majority influence occur?

Answer 10

Majority influence can occur through social norms or normative social influence

Question 11

Explain how social influence processes contribute to social change (4 marks).
Minorities contribute to social change by being consistent, flexible and non-dogmatic.
Through social crypto-amnesia and the snowball effect, gradually the minority turns into the majority.
There is also the influence of obedience.
For example, changes to the laws that make a certain behaviour more of a social norm, which others then adopt.
Majority influence can occur through social norms or normative social influence.
How can dictators bring about social change?

Answer 11

Dictators can bring about social change through power and through the process of obedience

Question 12

Explain how social influence processes contribute to social change (4 marks).
Minorities contribute to social change by being consistent, flexible and non-dogmatic.
Through social crypto-amnesia and the snowball effect, gradually the minority turns into the majority.
There is also the influence of obedience.
For example, changes to the laws that make a certain behaviour more of a social norm, which others then adopt.
Majority influence can occur through social norms or normative social influence.
Dictators can bring about social change through power and through the process of obedience.
What does this lead to?

Answer 12

This leads to groups of people changing their behaviour because of the fear of punishment or the consequences
of not obeying

Question 13

Explain how a minority can bring about social change (4 marks)

Answer 13

Unlike majority influence, which maintains the status quo, minority influence brings about social change

Question 14

Explain how a minority can bring about social change (4 marks).
Unlike majority influence, which maintains the status quo, minority influence brings about social change.
If a minority is consistent, flexible and non-dogmatic, what can they do?

Answer 14

If a minority is consistent, flexible and non-dogmatic, they can challenge the beliefs held by the majority

Question 15

Explain how a minority can bring about social change (4 marks).
Unlike majority influence, which maintains the status quo, minority influence brings about social change.
If a minority is consistent, flexible and non-dogmatic, they can challenge the beliefs held by the majority.
Over time, through the snowball effect, what happens?

Answer 15

Over time, through the snowball effect, the minority becomes the majority and their beliefs become widely held

Question 16

Explain how a minority can bring about social change (4 marks).
Unlike majority influence, which maintains the status quo, minority influence brings about social change.
If a minority is consistent, flexible and non-dogmatic, they can challenge the beliefs held by the majority.
Over time, through the snowball effect, the minority becomes the majority and their beliefs become widely held.
Sometimes, through social crypto-amnesia, what?

Answer 16

Sometimes, through social crypto-amnesia, the original source of the influence is forgotten

Question 17

Explain how social influence research helps us to understand social change (4 marks)

Answer 17

Social change refers to the change that occurs in a society and not at the individual level

Question 18

Explain how social influence research helps us to understand social change (4 marks).
Social change refers to the change that occurs in a society and not at the individual level.
How do minorities bring about social change?

Answer 18

Minorities bring about social change by being consistent, flexible and non-dogmatic

Question 19

Explain how social influence research helps us to understand social change (4 marks).
Social change refers to the change that occurs in a society and not at the individual level.
Minorities bring about social change by being consistent, flexible and non-dogmatic.
Through social crypto-amnesia and the snowball effect, gradually, what?

Answer 19

Through social crypto-amnesia and the snowball effect, gradually, the minority turns into the majority

Question 20

Explain how social influence research helps us to understand social change (4 marks).
Social change refers to the change that occurs in a society and not at the individual level.
Minorities bring about social change by being consistent, flexible and non-dogmatic.
Through social crypto-amnesia and the snowball effect, gradually, the minority turns into the majority.
How can dictators bring about social change?

Answer 20

Dictators can bring about social change through power and through the process of obedience

Question 21

For many years, smoking in public places such as trains, pubs and restaurants was quite acceptable.
People could smoke wherever they wanted and non-smokers had to put up with smoky atmospheres.
However, in 2007, the government finally introduced a law banning smoking in public places and those who smoke are limited in where they can smoke.

Using your knowledge of the psychology of social change, explain how this social change has occurred (4 marks)

Answer 21

A small minority could slowly persuade the majority to change their views on smoking

Question 22

For many years, smoking in public places such as trains, pubs and restaurants was quite acceptable.
People could smoke wherever they wanted and non-smokers had to put up with smoky atmospheres.
However, in 2007, the government finally introduced a law banning smoking in public places and those who smoke are limited in where they can smoke.

Using your knowledge of the psychology of social change, explain how this social change has occurred (4 marks).
A small minority could slowly persuade the majority to change their views on smoking.
What would the minority need to be?

Answer 22

The minority would need to be consistent, flexible and committed

Question 23

For many years, smoking in public places such as trains, pubs and restaurants was quite acceptable.
People could smoke wherever they wanted and non-smokers had to put up with smoky atmospheres.
However, in 2007, the government finally introduced a law banning smoking in public places and those who smoke are limited in where they can smoke.

Using your knowledge of the psychology of social change, explain how this social change has occurred (4 marks).
A small minority could slowly persuade the majority to change their views on smoking.
The minority would need to be consistent, flexible and committed.
What does the snowball effect explain?

Answer 23

The snowball effect explains how this change gathers momentum and gradually the minority becomes the majority and people now conform to the majority view

Question 24

For many years, smoking in public places such as trains, pubs and restaurants was quite acceptable.
People could smoke wherever they wanted and non-smokers had to put up with smoky atmospheres.
However, in 2007, the government finally introduced a law banning smoking in public places and those who smoke are limited in where they can smoke.

Using your knowledge of the psychology of social change, explain how this social change has occurred (4 marks).
A small minority could slowly persuade the majority to change their views on smoking.
The minority would need to be consistent, flexible and committed.
The snowball effect explains how this change gathers momentum and gradually the minority becomes the majority and people now conform to the majority view.
Eventually, the government passes a popular law and thus what?

Answer 24

Eventually, the government passes a popular law and thus obedience can explain the change

Question 25

For many years, smoking in public places such as trains, pubs and restaurants was quite acceptable.
People could smoke wherever they wanted and non-smokers had to put up with smoky atmospheres.
However, in 2007, the government finally introduced a law banning smoking in public places and those who smoke are limited in where they can smoke.

Using your knowledge of the psychology of social change, explain how this social change has occurred (4 marks).
A small minority could slowly persuade the majority to change their views on smoking.
The minority would need to be consistent, flexible and committed.
The snowball effect explains how this change gathers momentum and gradually the minority becomes the majority and people now conform to the majority view.
Eventually, the government passes a popular law and thus obedience can explain the change.
Who are people also influenced by?

Answer 25

People are also influenced by those with more knowledge (informational social influence)

Question 26

For many years, smoking in public places such as trains, pubs and restaurants was quite acceptable.
People could smoke wherever they wanted and non-smokers had to put up with smoky atmospheres.
However, in 2007, the government finally introduced a law banning smoking in public places and those who smoke are limited in where they can smoke.

Using your knowledge of the psychology of social change, explain how this social change has occurred (4 marks).
A small minority could slowly persuade the majority to change their views on smoking.
The minority would need to be consistent, flexible and committed.
The snowball effect explains how this change gathers momentum and gradually the minority becomes the majority and people now conform to the majority view.
Eventually, the government passes a popular law and thus obedience can explain the change.
People are also influenced by those with more knowledge (informational social influence).
In this case, what?

Answer 26

In this case, scientists and doctors, who tell us that smoking is bad for our health

Question 27

Explain how a minority can bring about social change (4 marks)

Answer 27

Unlike majority influence, which maintains the status quo, minority influence brings about social change.
If a minority is consistent, flexible and non-dogmatic, they can challenge the beliefs held by the majority.
Over time, through the snowball effect the minority becomes the majority and their beliefs become widely held.
Sometimes through social crypto-amnesia, the original source of the influence is forgotten