Social change past paper improvements Flashcards
A survey shows that fewer young people are smoking today than in 1987.
Using your knowledge of social influence processes in social change, explain possible reasons for this change in behaviour. (6)
Influence of pressure groups and how they may convince the majority through consistency, commitment (augmentation principle), flexibility
Snowball effect - Views on smoking and smoking behaviour gradually chamged over time
NSI - Group norm for young people = maintain helath and fitness
ISI - More now known about how harmful smoking is
Obedience - Laws on smoking have now changed
Explain how social influence processes contribute to social change. (4)
Minorities contribute through consistency, flexibility and commitment (explain all three in detail) - Social cryptoamnesia and snowball effect gradually turn the minority to majority
Influence of obedience e.g. changes to the laws which make a certain behaviour more of a social norm which others then adopt
Read the item and then answer the question that follows.
The following article appeared in a newspaper:
Britain’s views on homosexuality – the biggest social change of
the last 30 years?
In the UK, views on homosexuality have changed significantly in recent times. Thirty years ago, almost two-thirds of the British public opposed same-sex relationships because they were ‘morally wrong’. These days, homosexuality is accepted and the majority of British people support recent changes to the laws on gay marriage and adoption.
With reference to the article above, explain how social influence leads to social change. (6)
Social change occurs when minority view e.g. Gay Rights campaigners challenege majority views and is eventually accepted as the majority
Influence of obedience - Following laws enacted by authority figures made equal rights more of a social norm
Snowball effect
Minority - Consistency, commitment, flexibility
