social influence + social change Flashcards
(27 cards)
What is social influence?
The process by which individuals and groups change each other’s attitudes and behaviours, including conformity, obedience, and minority influence.
What is social change?
When societies adopt new beliefs, behaviours, and attitudes, often influenced by social movements (e.g. women’s suffrage, civil rights).
How can drawing attention create social change?
It brings awareness to a problem, creating social proof that a change is needed.
Why is consistency important in minority influence?
It shows commitment and makes others take the minority seriously.
What is deeper processing in social change?
When people start to seriously consider the injustice of the issue.
What is the augmentation principle?
When people suffer for a cause, their commitment makes their message more powerful.
What is the snowball effect?
The process where a few people adopt a view and gradually more follow until it becomes the majority view.
What is social cryptomnesia?
When people know change has occurred but forget how or who initiated it.
Give an example of minority influence leading to social change.
The American civil rights movement (e.g., MLK and civil rights legislation in 1964).
What did Asch’s study reveal about social change?
Dissenters can break conformity and encourage others to think differently.
What is normative social influence?
Conforming to what most people are doing to be liked or accepted.
How is normative social influence used in campaigns?
Campaigns may say “Bin it – others do” to promote desirable behaviour.
What did Milgram’s study show about disobedient role models?
When people saw others disobey, they were more likely to do so themselves.
What did Milgram’s teacher/learner variation reveal?
If a confederate Teacher refused to give shocks, obedience rates in genuine participants dropped.
What did Zimbardo suggest about obedience and change?
Obedience can be used to create social change through the process of gradual commitment.
What did Nolan et al. (2008) find about energy use?
People reduced energy usage more when told others were doing so too.
What does Nolan’s study suggest?
Normative influence can effectively change behaviour.
What did Foxcroft et al. (2015) find about social norms interventions for reduced alcohol use?
They had limited effects—small reductions in alcohol use and none in frequency.
What does Foxcroft’s study imply?
Normative influence doesn’t always lead to long-term change.
How does minority influence promote divergent thinking?
It makes people think more creatively and explore new ideas.
What did Nemeth argue?
Minority influence stimulates more thoughtful decision-making.
Why are dissenting minorities important in society?
They open minds to new ideas and better solutions.
What is the traditional view of deeper processing?
Minority views make people think more deeply, possibly changing their minds.
How can social influence be applied to obesity campaigns?
By using conformity and obedience principles to promote healthy behaviour.
