SI Processes in social change

Question 1

social change

Answer 1

• refers to the change that occurs in society + not at an individual level
• occurs when the minority view challenges the majority view
  = eventually accepted by the majority
• snowball effect occurs
• crypto-amnesia possibly occurs
• normative/ informational social influence occurs = after snowball effect
• governments can bring about social change through the process of obedience
  = e.g. changing the law to make a behvaiour a social norm
• dictators bring about social change through obedience
  = fear of punishment/ consequence

Question 2

how do minority groups bring about social change?

Answer 2

• committed
• consistent
• flexible

Question 3

committed - minority groups + social change

Answer 3

• commitment is shown when members of the minority demonstrate their dedication to their belief
  e.g. through making sacrifices or being inconvenienced in some way
  = shows minority is not acting out of self-interest

Question 4

consistent - minority groups + social change

Answer 4

• consistency occurs when a minority repeatedly gives the same message
  = makes the majority reassess their belief + consider the issue more carefully

Question 5

flexible - minority groups + social change

Answer 5

• when a minority shows that they are willing to listen to other viewpoints
  = majority will then listen to the minority point of view/ take it more seriously

Question 6

snowball effect

Answer 6

• initially has a small effect but then spreads as more people consider the issue being raised, until it reaches a tipping point = minority become majority

Question 7

crypto-amnesia

Answer 7

when the individual is not even aware of where the new idea originated from
- minority influence = slow + unconscious