Social Change

• What is social change?


  It is a shift in the beliefs or behavior of an entire population.
• What are examples of social influence processes that can cause social change?


  Strategies include minority influence, internal locus of control, and disobedience to authority.
• What is the main cause of social change according to the study material?

  Minority influence.
• How does a minority group persuade the majority to adopt their point of view?


  By being consistent, committed, and flexible.
• What must a minority group have to resist compliance?


  An internal locus of control.
• What role does disobedience to authority play in social change?


  It helps to drive the minority's point into the limelight.
• Who demonstrated the importance of consistency, flexibility, and commitment in minority influence?


  Moscovici.
• What happens when the minority begins to successfully influence the majority?

  A snowball effect occurs as the new idea spreads and builds up over time.
• What is the outcome when the rate of conversion to a new idea is higher than the previous majority view?


  The new idea is adopted as the majority opinion.
• What happens to those who refuse to be influenced by the new idea?

  They will eventually be forced to comply by the majority.
• How does the new majority opinion affect societal norms?


  It tends to become the law, forcing people to obey it.
• What is an example of social change mentioned in the study material?

  The shift in attitudes towards race and sexuality.
• What was the previous norm regarding racism and homophobia?


  They were widely accepted.
• What happens to those who continue to hold racist and homophobic views after social change?


  They are pressured to hide their views or change.
• According to Nemeth, how is social change characterized?


  It is a slow process that produces fragile effects.
• Why does Nemeth argue that social change takes a long time?


  Because the majority are not exposed to the main issue at hand.
• What does Bashir suggest about social barriers to change?


  They are largely due to stereotypes.
• What is an example of a stereotype that prevents social change?


  Fear of being labeled 'weird' or a 'tree-hugger' for recycling.
• What does Mackie suggest about the role of minority influence?


  It is very limited because we are more likely to change our views if the majority view is different.
• Why do we become unsettled when the majority view differs from our own?


  Because we take comfort in knowing that many share our view.