Minority influence 6 marker

Question 1

Jenny is a psychology teacher who works with six other teachers in the department. Jenny believes strongly that homework should not be graded as it distracts students from reading verbal feedback on their work. She would like her colleagues to stop grading work. The other members of the department do not agree but have told Jenny they are willing to have a meeting about it.
Using your knowledge of minority influence, explain how Jenny might be able to persuade
the rest of the department to accept her view.

[6 marks]

intro point

Answer 1

In order for Jenny (the minority), to persuade the rest of her psychology department (the majority) she must show consistency, commitment and flexibility in her views about marking.

Question 2

1st point - consistency

Answer 2

Firstly, Jenny could show consistency by continually repeating the same message about the benefits of verbal feedback – that it prevents the students from becoming distracted over their grades – in each of the department meetings.

Question 3

2nd point - commitment

Answer 3

Secondly, Jenny could show commitment to this view by explaining how she is making a personal sacrifice, by investing time in researching the best teaching strategies for marking and working hard to ensure that students have the best quality feedback on their work.

Question 4

3rd point - flexibility

Answer 4

Finally, Jenny could show flexibility by listening to the other members of her department and agree to a compromise. They may agree to trial a marking strategy that involves verbal feedback with a reduced emphasis on grading. This will make Jenny appear less rigid and dogmatic.