Transcript Minority influence

Homework
• While I get the register done, get the homework
details down:
• Go to https://srosocialscience.wordpress.com/ type
part 1 into the search bar on the right hand side of
the page and part 1 will appear, click on it, read it,
do the question.
• Then repeat the process, click on it, read it, do the
question.
What characteristics do these individuals have that has made them
bring about social change?
Minority influence
AO1
AO2
AO3
To outline the three factors that
make a minority influential. (D)
To apply understanding of
minority influence to explain
how minorities can create
change (C)
Evaluate research studies into
minority influence
B upwards
Derek Sivers: Quick TED Talk
The importance of the snowball effect
C.F.C’s important factors in minority influence.
These are a must remember piece of information.
• Consistency – Minority influence is most effective if the minority keeps the
same beliefs, both over time and between all the individuals that form the
minority. It’s effective because it draws attention to the minority view.
• Commitment – minority influence is more powerful if the minority
demonstrates dedication to their position, for example by making personal
sacrifices. This is effective because it shows the minority is not acting out of
self-interest. Augmentation principle?
• Flexibility – relentless consistency could be counter-productive if it is seen
by the majority as unbending and unreasonable. Therefore minority
influence is more effective if the minority show flexibility by accepting the
possibility of compromise. Nemeth (1986)
Think about how the suffragettes provided
evidence for the power of minority influence in
social change…
(AO2)
The behavioural style of the suffragettes
The suffragettes used a variety of educational, political and militant tactics
to highlight the fact that women were denied the same political right as
men.
The suffragettes advocated a different political voting arrangement to that
already in place. This created a conflict in the minds of the majority. Some
of which dismissed the suffragettes as trouble makers, but others moved
towards the suffragette position.
Those that moved to the suffragette position would have experienced a
particular type of social influence where they genuinely believe that the
suffragettes were right in what they were saying.
The suffragettes did not change their position, regardless of the attitudes
around them. Moscovici argued that this is a key factor in the success of a
minority influence.
The suffragettes were willing to suffer to make their point heard e.g.
risking imprisonment or even death from hunger strikes. This meant that
they were taken more seriously by the majority.
Initially only small numbers moved to adopting the suffragette’s point of
view but increasingly more and more people accepted their point of view.
Eventually it became the point of view held by the majority and could no
longer be ignored. Women were eventually given the vote in 1918.
The behavioural style of the suffragettes
The suffragettes used a variety of educational, political and militant tactics to highlight
the fact that women were denied the same political right as men.
Draw attention to a
cause
The suffragettes advocated a different political voting arrangement to that already in
place. This created a conflict in the minds of the majority. Some of which dismissed the
suffragettes as trouble makers, but others moved towards the suffragette position.
The role of conflict
Those that moved to the suffragette position would have experienced a particular type of
social influence where they genuinely believe that the suffragettes were right in what
they were saying.
Informational social
influence
The suffragettes did not change their position, regardless of the attitudes around them.
Moscovici argued that this is a key factor in the success of a minority influence.
Consistency
The suffragettes were willing to suffer to make their point heard e.g. risking
imprisonment or even death from hunger strikes. This meant that they were taken more
seriously by the majority.
Augmentation
principle
Initially only small numbers moved to adopting the suffragette’s point of view but
increasingly more and more people accepted their point of view. Eventually it became
the point of view held by the majority and could no longer be ignored. Women were
eventually given the vote in 1918.
Snowball effect
When does blue become green?
Who used this in their study of minority influence?
What problems can you suggest with this study? Hint think validity!
Today’s tasks
• You have 15 minutes to ensure that your focus on
five for the Moscovici study is COMPLETED
• Make sure you put the findings in the key quote
box as you need to learn these.
12 Angry Men
Your task
• Read the plot synopsis of 12 angry men and answer
the questions at the bottom of the page IN FULL,
DETAILED SENTENCES in your notes.
• You will need the A3 sheet I have given you to
complete questions 2-4
Tackling obesity
Jamie Oliver has been trying to change attitudes for a LONG time.
What advice would you give him so that he can be an effective minority influence
who will change the views of Britons?
Tackling obesity
Everyone agrees that Britain is in an obesity crisis – 65% of
men and 58% of women are now overweight or obese.
Heart disease, certain cancers and especially type 2
diabetes are all on the increase, costing the NHS billions of
pounds every year.
Experts agree that any improvement in the situation is
going to require significant changes in attitudes and
behaviours across the whole of society.
As an expert in social influence, you have now been asked
by Jamie Oliver to help him out to change the attitudes
and behaviours across the whole of society by first
speaking to the government.
What advice would you give the government department worried about the developing
obesity crisis. Using your knowledge of how both (i) conformity and (ii) obedience processes
can influence social change, explain what advice you would give the government. Make sure
you refer to social influence research in your advice.
Why are monkeys good at
Psychology?
Because they can PEEL!
(1)
Point: Flexibility, consistency and commitment from a
minority allow people to stop and think, and really consider
the point of view.
Evidence:
Elaborate:
Link:
(2)
Point: Moscovici et al.’s study showed that a consistent
minority had a greater effect of other people than an
inconsistent opinion.
Evidence:
Elaborate:
Link:
(3)
Point: A limitation of minority influence research is that it is
artificial, and therefore lacking in mundane realism. This
means that it becomes more difficult to relate it real life
situations.
Evidence:
Elaborate:
Link:
(4)
Point:
Evidence: Variation of Moscovici’s study where answers were
private showed pps showed a change in view, only privately
Elaborate: What does this tell us about how the minority
influence process works?
Link:
(5)
Point:
Evidence: Variation of Moscovici’s study where answers were
private showed pps showed a change in view, only privately
Elaborate: What does this tell us about how the minority
influence process works?
Link:
Read the item and then answer the question that follows.
The following article appeared in a newspaper:
Britain’s views on homosexuality – the biggest social change of
the last 30 years?
In the UK, views on homosexuality have changed significantly in recent times.
Thirty years ago, almost two-thirds of the British public opposed same-sex
relationships because they were ‘morally wrong’. These days, homosexuality is
accepted and the majority of British people support recent changes to the
laws on gay marriage and adoption.
With reference to the article above, explain how social
influence leads to social change. (Total 6 marks)
Level
3
2
1
Marks
Description
5–6
Knowledge of social influence processes related to social change is clear and generally well
detailed. Application to changing views of homosexuality is mostly clear and effective. The
answer is generally coherent with appropriate use of terminology.
3–4
Knowledge of social influence processes related to social change is evident. There is some
effective application to changing views of homosexuality. The answer lacks clarity in places.
Terminology is used appropriately on occasions.
1–2
Knowledge of social influence processes related to social change is limited. Application to
changing views of homosexuality is either absent or inappropriate. The answer as a whole lacks
clarity and has inaccuracies. Terminology is either absent or inappropriately used.
0
No relevant content.
AO2 = 6
Possible content:
Application of social influence research to changing views of homosexuality from the following:
• factors affecting minority influence including consistency, commitment and flexibility
• social change occurs when minority view, e.g. Gay Rights campaigners, challenges majority view and is
eventually accepted as the majority
• theory related to conformity such as informational social influence and / or internalisation
• influence of obedience, e.g. changes to the laws making equal rights more of a social norm
• credit other relevant points, e.g. influence of media, as long as they are rooted in sound psychology
• can also credit theories linked to minority influence, e.g. social impact theory, snowball effect, social
cryptoamnesia.
Tackling obesity
Jamie Oliver has been trying to change attitudes for a LONG time.
What advice would you give him so that he can be an effective minority influence
who will change the views of Britons?