Social change Flashcards
When does social change occur?
When society adopts new attitudes/beliefs/behaviours
What causes social change?
Minority influence (MI) - If one’s exposed to persuasive argument under certain conditions-may change views (aka conversion) - necessary requirement for social change
What are the steps to social change?
Draw attention to issue, display dedicated message-showing consistency of position. Minorities take risks to further the cause + show dedication (aka augmentation principle). SB effect occurs when people switch from maj to min due to NSI (to be accepted/liked/fit in). Finally- people have memory that change has occurred but some have no memory of events leading to that change (aka social cryptomnesia)
(AO3) Supporting research of the theory?
Nolan et al study: researchers hung posters on people doors saying most residents reduced every usage & later saw that a group of resident’s energy usage significantly decreases compared to when ctrl grp told some residents to reduce usage w/out mentioning others behaviour. Shows ppl reducing energy usage due to NSI. + as supports theory by showing how NSI contributes to social change.
(AO3) Why is it a limitation that the studies lack mundane realism?
Tasks involved in conformity studies=often artificial- Asch’s LJS + Moscovici’s CS- shows that tasks lack MR thus more demand characteristics likely to be shown which affects how accurate results are. - as QVOT + D cred of their sci research.
(AO3) Explain how using MI to bring about SC is a very slow process
Nemeth: suggests that effects of MI=indirect+delayed. Because maj=only concerned for matters related to specific issues e.g. recycling and not central issue itself e.g. global warming > They’re delayed as may not be seen in society for some time. - as limited exp of the MI.
(AO3) Opposing evidence for role of deeper processing in MI?
Mackie: argues maj infl causes deeper processing if your opinion differs from maj group. When we find out that maj thinks diff from us-we’re forced to think long/hard about their arguments > This challenges Moscovici’s proposed views of deeper processing as he said min affects maj whereas Mackie suggests opp thus QVOT
