Social Influence Paper 1

Question 1

Jenny is a psychology teacher who works with six other teachers in the department. Jenny believes strongly that homework should not be graded as it distracts students from reading verbal feedback on their work. She would like her colleagues to stop grading work. The other members of the department do not agree but have told Jenny they are willing to have a meeting about it.
Using your knowledge of minority influence, explain how Jenny might be able to persuade
the rest of the department to accept her view.
[6 marks]

Answer 1

Jenny should demonstrate CONSISTENCY OF POSITION by not deviating from her view that not grading work is a good idea despite social pressure – she could point out that this is a view that she has held throughout her teaching career

Jenny should demonstrate COMMITMENT by placing herself at some risk/inconvenience – she may volunteer to field criticisms from students, parents, other departments, etc.

This will draw more attention to her ‘cause’ (AUGMENTATION PRINCIPLE)

Jenny should demonstrate FLEXIBILITY by adapting her view/accepting other valid counterarguments. Perhaps some pieces of work could be ungraded but not all – for instance, grading mock exams but not homework

 over time, the rest of the department may become ‘converted’ (SNOW BALL EFFECT ) – for example, if Jenny’s students start to perform particularly well

Question 2

Psychologists investigating social influence have discovered several reasons why people conform.

Discuss what psychological research has told us about why people conform.
[16 marks]

Answer 2

WHY PEOPLE CONFORM!!

A01

CONFORMITY 3 TYPES
NSI
ISI
CONFORMITY TO SOCIAL ROLES

AO3
NOLAN NSI
LUCAS ISI
IND DIFFERENCES - MCGHEE AND TEEVAN
INDISTINGUISHABLE: DEUTCH AND GERALD

Question 3

The 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 marks]

Answer 3

examples of the influence of pressure groups/anti-smoking lobbies and how they may convince the majority through consistency, commitment (augmentation principle), flexibility
• the snowball effect – how smoking behaviour/views on smoking change gradually over time.
Conformity processes:
• normative social influence/compliance – the group norm among young people is to maintain health and fitness; people who go against this norm (by smoking) risk rejection from the group; smoking is anti-social, violates social norms, so young people who smoke are less likely to fit in
• informational social influence/internalisation – more is known now about the harmful effects of smoking, young people may have become convinced by such evidence.
Obedience processes:
• laws on smoking have changed, e.g. banned in public places, which may have influenced young people’s behaviour.
Credit other relevant material.