A Council Meeting Has Produced Heated Debate About an Issue

question 101

Essay

A council meeting has produced heated debate about an issue. Most of the members of the council hold one opinion, but a few hold another. During a break in the meeting, the members of the council who have the minority opinion call you for advice as to the best way to influence the majority of the council. Based on social psychological research, particularly concerning the dual-process approach, what should you advise them to do?

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Definitions:

Subjugated Knowledge

Includes descriptions and explanations of events that dominant groups selectively devalue or ignore.

Dominant Groups

Groups in society that possess more power, wealth, and prestige than other subordinate groups, often influencing social norms and policies.

Assortative Mating

A mating pattern where individuals with similar phenotypic or genetic traits tend to mate with each other more frequently than would be expected under a random mating pattern.

Marriage Market

Refers to a sociological concept in which prospective partners evaluate each other's assets and liabilities before committing to a marriage or long-term relationship.