Social influence processes in social change

Question 1

1.

Answer 1

minority influence research suggests that consistent minorities cause majorities to change their views as they cause people to process things of a deeper level so that they question their private attitudes and change them.

Question 2

2.

Answer 2

the majority are more likely to change their behaviour if they change their private views as well (internalisation)

Question 3

3.

Answer 3

minorities that are flexible and willing to compromise are more likely to influence the majority to change their mind.

Question 4

4.

Answer 4

social change is increased by the snow ball effect where the minority becomes bigger and more influential as more people change their views.

Question 5

5.

Answer 5

normative social influence plays a role as when the minority view is taken up by the majority, there is even more social pressure for others to conform.

Question 6

Evaluation strength: NSI support Nolan et al

Answer 6

residents were more likely to save energy if they had received a leaflet telling them that others were also saving energy.

Question 7

Evaluation weakness: limited application

Answer 7

minorities also have to act in a certain way to be influential. for example, if they act too stereotypical, the majority will not listen to them.

Question 8

Evaluation weakness: lab based research

Answer 8

often involves artificial tasks which do not relate to real life minority influence situations. therefore lacks external validity.