Social Influence And Social Change

Question 1

List in order the 6 social influence processes in social change

Answer 1

Drawing attention
Consistency
Deeper processing
Augmentation principle
Snowball effect
Social cryptoneisia —> cannot remember when the change happened

Question 2

What has conformity research shown about social change?

Answer 2

Encouraged by drawing attention to what the majority is doing (NSI)

Question 3

What has obedience research shown about social change?

Answer 3

Zimbardo: obedience —> social change through gradual commitment
Small instruction obeyed harder to resist a bigger instruction (drift into new behaviours)

Question 4

Identify and explain the research support for social change principles (AO3)

Answer 4

Nolan et al
Does social influence processes lead to a decrease in energy consumption. Hung messages on doors that most residences are trying to reduce energy consumption. Control not referring to others.

Significant decrease in group referring to others reducing energy (NSI)

Question 5

Describe one limitation of minority influence (AO3)

Answer 5

Nemeth argues minorities influence is indirect as the effects are delayed. Limitation as shows effects are fragile and role in social influence is limited.

Question 6

One limitation of the role of deeper processing (AO3)

Answer 6

Moscovici argued minority influence involved different cognitive processes (deeper thinking)
Mackie disagrees as minorities create deeper processing if you do not share views.
Moscovici study lacks validity