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| Question | Answer |
| Explain what Moscovici's explanation of minority influence is. | Moscovici - if an individual is exposed to a persuasive argument under certain conditions, they may change their views to match those of the minority. |
| What are the conditions for minority influence to cause social change? | Drawing attention to an issue - being exposed to a minority viewpoint creates a conflict which the individual is motivated to reduce. Role of conflict - causes us to examine the minority position more deeply, which may result in a move towards that position. Consistency - When minorities express their arguments consistently they are taken more seriously and are more likely to bring about social change. Wood et al - meta-analysis of 97 studies showed minorities seen as being consistent were particularly influential at changing views of the majority. Augmentation principle - if there is risk of putting forward a particular view, those who express those views are taken more seriously by others. |
| Evaluate minority influence as a cause of social change. | Analysis of suffragettes: Drawing attention to an issue - used a variety of educational, political and militant tactics to draw attention to the fact that women were denied the same political rights as men. Role of conflict - advocated different political arrangement to that already in place. Consistency - suffragettes were consistent in expressing their position, regardless of the attitudes of those around them. Augmentation principle - suffragettes were willing to suffer to make their point, risking imprisonment or even death from hunger strike. Doesn't necessarily lead to social change: lack social power and are seen as 'deviant' by the majority. Their influence may be more latent than real. Real world application: Kruglanski - social change due to terrorism may be understood using principles of social change. Terrorists are consistent in their actions. Terrorists are willing to die for their actions (augmentation principle). |
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