UPSC Mains 2016 · GS IV · Q4(b) · 10 marks · 150 words

How could social influence and persuasion contribute to the success of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan ?

हिन्दी में

सामाजिक प्रभाव और समझाना-बुझाना स्वच्छ भारत अभियान की सफलता के लिए किस प्रकार योगदान कर सकते हैं ?

Social Influence and PersuasionAttitude

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “Social Influence and Persuasion focus on ways in which behaviour of a group or an individual is influenced by outside factors. Explain how it can help in convincing people to work towards collective good?”

Pratyush PandeyAIR 21 · CSE 2019 · 133 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening · a definition

Social Influence, persuasion refer to the impact others have on one's attitude and beliefs.

Body · points and prose

Diagram
* Social Persuasion * Conformity: When others act in same way (Groupthink) * Credibility of person: eg Scientist is more persuasive * Likeability of person: eg friends can persuade easily * Celebrities, famous people * Authority: eg Parents can influence us

Social Influence - For Good

  1. Through Authority: Eg People can be encouraged to work for good eg PM Modi asked people to 'Give it Up' for LPG subsidy - 10 million people did.

  2. Through Credibility eg Amitabh Bachhan in Swachh Bharat Ads encouraged use of toilet.

  3. Through Likeability: Eg Afroz Shah of Mumbai inspired people to clean up Versova beach - won UN Award.

  4. Through conformity : Eg in Japan, it is considered essential to help others even if it inconveniences oneself.

Close · a summary

Social persuasion is a powerful tool which can also be misused - eg Nazis, ISIS used it for violence, genocide. It can play a role to inspire people to work for collective good.

How toppers approach this question, and more on its topic: open the question.

Toppers’ answers to other close questions

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2016, General Studies Paper IV, Q4(b). The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.