Social Change

Question 1

minority influence

Answer 1

Social change often begins with a small group (minority) challenging the majority.
Must show:
- Consistency (unchanging view over time),
- Commitment (willingness to suffer for cause),
- Flexibility (being open to compromise).
- Leads to internalisation and the snowball effect – minority becomes majority view.

Question 2

Who researched minority influence?

Answer 2

Moscovici

Question 3

Conformity

Answer 3

Social norms approach – people change to fit perceived group norms (e.g. recycling).
Campaigns like “most people are doing X” use NSI to create social pressure.

Question 4

Obedience

Answer 4

Zimbardo: gradual commitment to small instructions leads to bigger changes.
- Disobedience by individuals (e.g. civil rights activists) can inspire wider resistance.

Question 5

Research support from moscovici

Answer 5

Moscovici’s blue-green slide study: consistent minority influenced majority in some trials.
Supports the idea that minorities can lead to internalisation.

Question 6

What real world examples are there

Answer 6

Suffragettes, civil rights movement: consistent, committed minorities led to major societal change.
Show how theory applies to real life

Question 7

Why is moscovici s task being artificial a limitation?

Answer 7

Moscovici’s task (colours of slides) is trivial and lacks real-world stakes.

• Reduces ecological validity – might not reflect real social change.

Question 8

Social change is complex

Answer 8

Not all minorities cause change – factors like power, status, and context matter.
Psychology alone may oversimplify the process.