Social Change Flashcards
(7 cards)
Define Social Change
Social change occurs when a minority view challenges and eventually replaces the majority view.
Real-world examples include recycling becoming mainstream, smoking bans in public indoor places, and gaining the vote for women.
What is the role of Commitment in Social Change?
The minority must show dedication by taking risks or enduring sacrifices (e.g. time, money, legal consequences).
This grabs the attention of the majority and signals seriousness.
What is the role of Consistency in Social Change?
The minority must repeat the same message over time (e.g. through regular protests or campaigns).
This makes the majority reconsider their beliefs and view the minority as credible.
What is the role of Flexibility in Social Change?
The minority should be open to compromise and acknowledge valid points from the majority.
This avoids being seen as rigid or dogmatic and helps maintain engagement with the majority.
What is the Snowball Effect in Social Change?
If the minority is effective, their influence grows as more of the majority join them.
This causes the idea to gain momentum and become the new majority view.
What is Majority Conformity in Social Change?
Remaining members of the original majority conform to the new majority due to Normative Social Influence (NSI) and Informational Social Influence (ISI).
New laws often reinforce the change (e.g. smoking bans).
What is Social Crypto-Amnesia?
Over time, people remember that the change occurred, but forget the role the minority played.
The origin of the change becomes less visible, even if the change remains.
