Social Change & Minority Influence: Psychology

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following best describes the 'foot-in-the-door' effect, as described by Zimbardo (2007)?

Individuals are more likely to comply with larger requests if they are from an authority figure.
Individuals are more likely to comply with larger requests after complying with smaller ones. (correct)
Individuals are more likely to resist smaller requests if they are from a minority group.
Individuals are more likely to resist larger requests after complying with smaller ones.

According to Nemeth (1986), the impact of minority influence is typically immediate and direct.

False (B)

What three factors are crucial for a minority to successfully influence the majority?

Consistency, commitment, and flexibility

According to Bashir et al. (2013), people resist social change due to negative ___________.

stereotypes Signup and view all the answers

Match the study/concept with its effect on obedience or social change.

Milgram's Obedience Study with Disobedient Role Models = Reduced obedience rates among participants. Nolan et al. (2008) on Energy Consumption = Demonstrated that social norms can change behavior. Zimbardo's Gradual Commitment (Foot-in-the-Door Effect) = Compliance with small requests leads to compliance with larger ones. Anti-Drink Driving Campaigns = Framed legal consequences to deter people. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following concepts explains how the acceptance of climate change is partly due to the public being convinced by scientific consensus?

Informational Social Influence (ISI) (D) Signup and view all the answers

Mackie (1987) argued that minority views trigger more critical thinking than majority views.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a common limitation of studies like those conducted by Asch, Milgram, and Moscovici?

They took place in artificial settings, limiting real-world applicability. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the augmentation principle in the context of social change?

The minority's influence is strengthened when they demonstrate commitment to their cause, often through personal sacrifice. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Social cryptomnesia refers to the process where the majority immediately acknowledges and remembers the minority group's role in initiating social change.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

Briefly explain how consistency plays a role in minority influence during social change.

Consistency from the minority group over time and across members increases credibility and makes the majority more likely to consider their viewpoint, facilitating social change. Signup and view all the answers

According to Asch's research, the presence of a __________ can significantly reduce conformity rates.

dissenter Signup and view all the answers

Match each step of social change through minority influence with its correct description:

Drawing Attention = Highlighting an issue, often through protests or demonstrations. Deeper Processing = The majority begins to question the status quo, reflecting on the minority’s arguments. The Snowball Effect = A tipping point is reached where more members of society adopt the minority viewpoint. Social Cryptomnesia = The majority forgets the origins of the change, but the new norms become ingrained. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the role of normative social influence (NSI) in social change?

NSI leads individuals to adopt minority viewpoints to gain social approval and avoid rejection. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Minority influence is more likely to lead to social change when the minority group is perceived as flexible and willing to compromise.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

Explain how the Civil Rights Movement exemplifies the six steps of social change through minority influence.

The Civil Rights Movement drew attention to racial injustice, maintained consistency in their message, caused deeper processing among the majority, demonstrated commitment through the augmentation principle, reached a tipping point with legal changes (snowball effect), and eventually led to a societal shift where the origins of the struggle were sometimes forgotten (social cryptomnesia). Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Social Change

Shifts in societal attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors over time, leading to new norms.

Minority Influence

The influence of a small group on the majority to adopt a new perspective.