Social influence processes in social change

Question 1

List the 5 things that brings about social change through minority influence.

Answer 1

• Drawing attention to issue
• cognitive conflict
• consistency
• augmentation principle
• snowball effect

Question 2

Explain drawing attention to an issue with example.

Answer 2

A minority can bring about social change by drawing attention to an issue e.g. suffragettes and lack of votes for women

Question 3

Explain cognitive conflict with e.g.

Answer 3

A minority creates cognitive conflict in the minds of majority between what is currently believed and what minority believes e.g. only men being allowed to vote.

Question 4

explain consistency with e.g.

Answer 4

social change is more likely when minority is consistent in position e.g. suffragettes were consistent in view regardless of other peoples attitudes.

Question 5

explain augmentation principle with e.g.

Answer 5

If a minority suffers for its views, it is taken more seriously e.g. suffragettes risked imprisonment and death.

Question 6

explain the snowball effect with e.g.

Answer 6

MI initially has small effect but this spreads more widely until it eventually leads to large scale social change e.g. after suffragettes actions, idea eventually spread to maj.