L12: Social Influence Processes In Social Change

Question 1

What is social change?

Answer 1

This is the change that happens in a society but not at an individual level. E.g. equal rights for homosexuals, women’s votes etc. This is a result of minority influence.

Question 2

What happens after the snowball effect?

Answer 2

Conformity- once the majority accept the minority viewpoint, people may conform to the minority belief due to normative or informational social influence

Question 3

What happens after conformity?

Answer 3

Governments can bring about social change through obedience and power, they can establish laws which allows people to be more accepting of minority viewpoints and to make it a social norm. Dictators through obedience can bring about social change through punishment and fear.