Social Change

Question 1

The role of minority influence

Answer 1

• If an individual is exposed to a persuasive argument under certain conditions, they may change their views to match those of the minority

Question 2

What is social change

Answer 2

• Social change occurs when individuals/small groups change the way the majority thinks and acts
• It is usually the minority that brings about social change, while the majority retains the status quo

Question 3

Steps in how minority influence creates social change

Answer 3

1) Attention- Drawing attention to the issue
2) Consistency- Displaying an unswerving message
3) Deeper processing- Many people who simply accept the status quo will start thinking further
4) Augmentation principle- Taking risks to further the cause
5) Snowball principle- People switch from the majority to the minority
6) Social cryptomnesia- People have a memory that change has occurred, but don’t remember how it happened