Transcript Implications of Social Change

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Social pyshcology – individual difference
Miss Norris
What is social change?
* With the person next to you, think back to you
research on conformity and obedience
studies. Write a sentence defining social
change, give an example of social change if
you can think of one?
DEFINITION:
“Social change occurs when a society as a
whole adopts a new belief and behaviour.”
Sometimes, social influence can be a force for a
positive change. Eg: Ghandi – Salt tax
Or negative eg: Nazi’s and extermination of the
Jews.
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* Implications of social change in, conformity,
independent behaviour and obedience research.
Firstly
Conformity research
* Which looks at contributing factors to social
change E.g : exodus, deterioration of the minority,
the role of internalisation and features of terrorism
What happens when the minority becomes majority?
When minority becomes a majority.
It can cause hostility, by loosing that majority
position, people leave feeling unsatisfied, raising
unfriendliness and the desire to leave the group.
Both majority and minority groups may be
experience this exodus.
What happens when the minority becomes majority?
In South Africa after the election of a Black
government. (Which didn’t improve the majority of
peoples lives) there was a deterioration of the
minority group of white people, as they felt there was
no improvement.
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Kruglansk (2003)
Argues terroism might be seen as social change
through the minority influence using direct force
to try and bring about social change. But
instilling fear in the majority.
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Looking a terrorism, what factors have been
identified in conformity research. when a minority
become majority
* Consistency and persistence
* Internalisation of minority of opinion.
Moscovici’s conversation theory
Exposure -> chance of internalisation -> conflict->
reduction of conflict
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Internalisation
* Conformity to the Zeitgeist (sprit of the time)
– who’s evidence suggest that a group to more
likely to internalise a minority position if it
already has widespread popular support.
* Positive majority support [MOD 2005 had
widespread support for fighting Iraqui
terrorist attacks]
*Implication of research
into independent
behaviour
1. Conflict as a catalyst for social change.
* Asch demonstrated that the presence of a
confederate was one of a the most important
variables for the rise in independent
behaviour.
* Eg: 1930’s Ghadhi started with 78 volunteers
within 3 weeks more than 5 million where
following his example.
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2. The role of moral principles
Kohlberg looking at Milgram’s findings, saw that
those basing decisions on moral principles
tended to be more defiant.
Individuals who can resist obedience are more
able to force new social change.
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*Research into
Obedience and
implications of social
change
* We have seen that although resisting authority
may be difficult it can be possible, and that is
where sometimes it can lead to bigger
movements of social change.
Examples?
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Obedience as a mechanism for social change
History shows ethnic cleansing/genocide are all
based on following orders from greater
movements of power, e.g Nazi’s
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Disobedience as a model for social change
Milgram’s experiment shows defiance with
peers. But disobedience can be just as
important. Eg; Rosa Parks.
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Zimbardo (2007) argues against Milgrams idea,
that you can drift into destructive obedience. He
said you can also drift into goodness or promote
Pro Social behaviours. Which is a shift into
positive social change.
This is based on two factors: Gradual
commitment, and using social models.
* In the same way that Milgram found that
voltage could be slowly increased in small
stages – “Foot in the door”
Eg; Filling out a questionnaire more likely hood
to sign up as an organ donor.
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* Milgram found that GOOD social role models,
give a rises in obedience and vice versa.
* Similarly pro social models have been shown
to increase behaviours such as charity
donations and sharing of resources. The
salvation army!!!
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* Some find it tempting to suggest Milgram is out
dated and not valid in explaining process of social
change.
Bass (1999) In a study of Milgram’s and similar
experiments found no correlation between results and
year of study.
* Milgram’s findings may be just as valid now as they
where in the 1960’s
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