Social Change Processes Lesson 11 PDF

The role of social influence processes in social change. Objectives: To be able to apply knowledge of the processes of social influence and the factors influencing it, to explain examples of real life social change. Starter – examples of real life social change What significant changes in soci...

The role of social influence processes in social change. Objectives: To be able to apply knowledge of the processes of social influence and the factors influencing it, to explain examples of real life social change. Starter – examples of real life social change What significant changes in society’s views, attitudes and behaviours have there been in the past 10 years? E.g. views on homosexuality – listed in DSM – classified as a mental illness until 1973 and now gay marriage has been legalised = big social change in 45 years. Goal? The requirement of this section is that you can describe: The role of social influence processes in social change. you need to be able to use the theories and explanations we have considered so far to explain actual events in history where society’s views have changed significantly. The main explanations we will consider are: Internal locus of control Minority influence - consistency, commitment and flexibility And a new concept related to minority influence: the snowball effect. Nelson Mandela:26 years imprisonment What social change did this help initiate? Nelson Mandela:26 years imprisonment 1st post-apartheid president Created a diverse society where every citizen is equal before the law. Passed legislation to allow people to reclaim land stolen from them Pursued a policy of reconciliation. Apartheid victims could publicly discuss their treatment under apartheid government. Apartheid perpetrators could take responsibility What for their action in social change did this help initiate? exchange for amnesty. Rosa Parks 1955 – against segregation on US buses “ the mother of the freedom movement” Helped launch civil rights movement. By refusing to give up her seat on a bus in Alabama. Inspired the black community to boycott the Montgomery buses for over a year. The first major direct action campaign of the post-war civil right movement. Her act of defiance became an important symbol of the movement. What social change did this help initiate? Suffragettes, 1913 – Emily Davison WSPU What social change did this help initiate? Suffragettes, Emily Davison, Emmeline Pankhurst. Members of the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) Fought for women to not only have the vote but for equal rights Representation of the people act (1918) women over 30 granted the right to vote. Legislation added 8.5 million women to the electoral role. In 1928, the voting age was What social lowered to change did that of the thisashelp initiate? same men, 21. Dispositional factors influencing social change What is a dispositional factor we have learnt about that can influence social change?  Internal locus of control Individuals with a high internal locus of control can trigger social change by refusing to conform to society’s expectations of behaviour and challenging accepted viewpoints or laws (obedience). Give an example of how this could occur in terms of initiating real life social change.  Situational factors influencing social change What is a situational factor(s) we have learnt about that can influence social change? Consistency of the minority If minorities are consistent with their message it is more likely to lead to significant social change. For example….  Commitment of the minority If minorities demonstrate their commitment to their views by a vivid action (e.g. strike/ march or personal sacrifice) this can help to convince the majority of the validity of their position. For example… Flexibility of the minority If minorities demonstrate their ability to listen to opposing views and adapt their views in response, this signals to the majority that they are prepared to compromise and can make them more convincing. For example….  The snowball effect and minority influence The snowball effect is the term that means a position initially held only by a small minority gathers pace and gains increasing support until, eventually, it becomes the majority position. Subsequently, the majority ‘forget’ that this was ever a minority position – this ‘forgetting’ is known as social crypto- amnesia. For example…. Evaluation TASK Complete the evaluation of the influence of social processes on social change using your previous notes and making sure you use the P E E L Structure to ensure focus on the Q. Box 1 Moscovici found that minorities could influence people’s views (on a slide colour task) and this was more likely if they were consistent (8.4% conversion) than if they were inconsistent (1.3%). E. L. Box 2 However, this study lacks ecological validity as pps had to identify the colour of slides and this in a meaningless task unlikely to happen in real life. This means the consistency of minorities might be greater or lesser in real life. Box 3 Minorities can be influential in real life, especially of they are consistent, ________________ and ______________. E.g. the suffragettes campaigned for women’s right to vote and protested about this demonstrating their ____________. This ultimately contributed to social change + the granting of women’s right to vote in_________ suggesting that there is validity in the idea that minorities are able to influence majorities.  Q1. 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 With reference to theon gayabove, article marriage and explain adoption. how social influence leads to social change. (Total 6 marks) Leve Mark Description Mark scheme l s Possible content: Knowledge of social influence Application of social processes related to social influence research to change is clear and generally well changing views of homosexuality from the detailed. Application to changing following: 3 5–6 views of homosexuality is mostly factors affecting clear and effective. The answer is minority influence including consistency, commitment generally coherent with and flexibility each applied appropriate use of terminology. to scenario. Knowledge of social influence social change occurs processes related to social when minority view, eg Gay Rights campaigners, change is evident. There is some challenges majority view effective application to changing and is eventually accepted 2 3–4 as the majority views of homosexuality. The theory related to answer lacks clarity in places. conformity such as Terminology is used appropriately informational social on occasions. influence and / or internalisation Knowledge of social influence can also credit processes related to social theories linked to minority change is limited. Application to influence, eg social impact changing views of homosexuality theory, snowball effect, social cryptoamnesia. 1 1 – 2 is either absent or inappropriate.