Evaluation of Social Change

Question 1

One weakness of social change is that there are barriers that prevent it from happening. (Evidence)

Answer 1

Bashir found that some people often resist social change even when the majority have excepted the viewpoint as the stereotypes the groups have are negative

Question 2

One weakness of social change is that there are barriers that prevent it from happening. (Explain)

Answer 2

This is a problem as the 5 stages might not be able to explain social change alone, it needs to be considered how they think they’re perceived by the minority.

Question 3

There is research to support normative influence of social change. (Evidence)

Answer 3

Nolan found that participants in the neighourhood of San Diego who were told via posters that other people were reducing their energy usage, were more likley to do the same compared to the control group.

Question 4

There is research to support normative influence of social change. (Explain)

Answer 4

Suggests the theory holds validity as it can explain why some examples of social change occur.

Question 5

A problem with the process of minority influence is that they can be seen as defiant and this might have the reverse effect to social change. (Evidence)

Answer 5

Members of the minority may deviate from agreeing with the majority as they don’t want to be seen as deviant and so do not listen to the message as they just follow social norms

Question 6

A problem with the process of minority influence is that they can be seen as defiant and this might have the reverse effect to social change. (Explain)

Answer 6

.Suggests that even if all minorities follow these 5 steps, they might not always change people’s beliefs. Social changes may not happen in the same way Moscovichi suggested