Social Influence - Minority Influence

• What does social change refer to?

  How societies shift their norms, values, attitudes, and behaviours over time
• What are the key factors of minority influence that contribute to social change?

  • Consistent: The minority's message must remain stable over time.
  • Committed: The minority must show dedication, often through personal sacrifice.
  • Flexible: The minority must adapt and not appear rigid in their views.
• What is the "snowball effect" in the context of minority influence?

  It is when the wider society slowly adopts the minority view, leading to social change
• What does social cryptomnesia refer to?

  The phenomenon where people remember that a change has occurred but forget the specific steps or individuals that caused it
• How does majority influence contribute to social change?

  People conform to perceived social norms, even if they do not initially hold those views
• What are social norms interventions?

  • Correct misconceptions about majority beliefs or behaviours
  • Example: Campaigns informing people that the majority does not engage in binge drinking
• How can obedience facilitate social change?

  Obedience to authority figures can lead to significant social change through gradual commitment and disobedient role models
• What are two examples of social change movements?

  • Civil rights movement: African Americans campaigned for racial equality.
  • Suffragette movement: Women campaigned for the right to vote.
• What research supports the role of consistency in minority influence?

  Moscovici et al. (1969) found that participants were more likely to conform to a consistent minority view
• What does Moscovici's study demonstrate about minority influence?

  It supports the idea that consistency is key for a minority to influence the majority
• How does social cryptomnesia manifest in modern society?

  Many individuals believe in racial or gender equality without acknowledging past struggles
• What are the methodological issues with research on social change?

  Laboratory settings may reduce ecological validity and lead to demand characteristics
• What is a criticism regarding the emphasis on minority influence in social change theories?

  Some argue that majority influence and authority figures play a more significant role
• How does the gradual process of social change challenge existing theories?

  It shows that social change is often slow and influenced by various factors
• What is an example of a slow social change process?

  The acceptance of LGBTQ+ rights has taken decades
• Why must theories of social change account for its complexity?

  Because social change involves multiple influences and is not just about minority influence