Social Change Flashcards
What is Social Change
Social change refers to the change that occurs in a society and not at an individual level. For example, equal rights for homosexual couples, increases in recycling rates, the smoking ban for public places, and women gaining the vote. Social change occurs when the minority view challenges the majority view and is eventually accepted byte majority
how do minority influence bring about social chnage
They need to be:
Committed - commitment is shown when the members of the minority demonstrate their dedication to their belief, for example by making a sacrifice (augmentation principle) or by taking risks or being inconvenienced in some way. This shows that minority isn’t acting out of self interest
Consistent - consistency occurs when the minority repeatedly give the same message over time. Making the majority reassess their belief and consider the issue more carefully
Flexible - flexibility is being non dogmatic and willing to listen to other viewpoints other than their own. This will make the majority take their argument more seriously.
what happens once the mjaority has accepted the minorty influence
Once the majority has accepted the minority viewpoint people may conform to this viewpoint due to normative social influence(compliance) and/or informational social influence (internalisation).
how do governments bring about social change
Governments/lawmakers can bring about social change through power and through the process of obedience. For example, changing the law to allow gay marriage could mean that people may be more accepting of homosexual rights because changes in the law make a behaviour a social norm which others then adopt.
how can dictators bring abiout change
Dictators can also bring about social change through obedience. This leads to groups of people changing their behaviour because of the fear of punishment/consequences of not obeying.
