Psychology: Social Change Flashcards
What is social change?
occurs when whole society adopts new belief/behaviour that becomes widely accepted
What 6 methods bring about social change?
-drawing attention -consistency -deeper processing -snowball effect
-augmentative principle -social cryptomensia
What does it mean by drawing attention in social change? Example?
presenting problem to majority. civil right marches identified segregation practiced in America, social evidence
What does it mean by consistency in social change? Example?
remaining with same intent and message across all individuals. civil rights activists displayed intent of justice
What does deeper processing mean in social change?
those who have already accepted status quo begin to acknowledge injustice and consider the issue
What is the augmentation principle in social change? Example?
people show dedication through personal sacrifices. freedom riders of mixed racial groups who boarded segregated buses
What is the snowball effect in social change? Example?
majority begin to develop minority view. MLK and Civil Rights Activists pushed for law to prevent discrimination in America
How can Normative Social Influence be applied to social change?
-conforming to be liked -encourage change by reporting behaviour of majority which urges others to follow suit
How can gradual commitment be applied to social change?
approval of small requests shows willingness to change therefore larger instructions become harder to decline. can be referred to as ‘foot in the door technique’
How is research by Nolan et al a strength in achieving social change?
-group one: residents informed most trying to reduce energy consumption -group two: simply asked to reduce energy usage
-significant decrease in energy usage for group one
-clear effect of NSI -high ecological validity
How is Moscovici conversion explanation of minority influence a limitation to social change?
-majority and minority involved two different cognitive processes
-Mackie showed majority influence ignites deeper processing
-contradicts original theory -majority have stronger power over changing minority beliefs
What is social cryptomensia in social change?
when you forget that you’ve forgotten something and so perceives it as an original thought
How is Bashir et al’s research a strength and limitation to social change?
-noticed that people less likely to be environmentally friendly due to associated stereotypes -however, recognises importance of flexibility and social cryptomensia when minority have negative public image
