GS4 · 10 marks · 150 words

Social media has played a key role in influencing political opinions and social attitudes in India. Comment.

Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2018–2019

Social Influence and PersuasionAttitudeTechnology and Ethics

Syllabus: Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.

How toppers approached it

From all 6 answers · about 170 words.

Opening

  • A definition50%
  • No separate opening33%
  • A figure17%

Body

  • Points67%
  • Points and prose17%
  • Continuous prose17%

Close

  • A way forward50%
  • No separate close33%
  • A summary17%

The toppers’ answers

Akshat JainAIR 2 · CSE 2018 · 140 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening · a definition

Social media provides a digital platform for people to interact with each other. e.g. social networking sites like facebook. It has become extremely popular among youth, and is their premium source of consuming and sharing information.

Body · points

Influencing Political Opinions

  1. Most political parties are quite active on social media.
  2. Media houses rapidly share political news instantaneously.
  3. Debates and live discussion.

Influencing Social Attitudes

  1. MMS or pornography shared develops wrong attitudes towards women.
  2. Online hatred and trolling develop hatred towards communities.
  3. Invoking patriotism and nationalism.
  4. Exposing us to the plight of people and enabling us to help them. e.g. Several fund-raising groups on social media help generate awareness and money for good cause.
  5. Attitude towards privacy of others.

Close · a way forward

Thus responsible use and self-regulation are required to make best use of social media.

More on Social Influence and Persuasion

Conformity, obedience, group pressure and persuasion, and the use of either by a public servant.

All GS4 questions on Social Influence and Persuasion