Duration
4 weeksWeekly study
3 hours100% online
How it works
Social Influence: Diversity, Conformity, and Conflict
This course has been certified by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles. Find out more.
Unpack social norms and its impact on society
Social influence describes how an individual’s attitudes, beliefs, or behaviours change due to the presence or actions of others. It can be wide and varied, impacting the interactions and behaviours we use daily.
On this four-week course, you’ll look at key concepts relating to conformity, obedience, and social norms to understand how and why an individual’s behaviour may change.
With this knowledge, you’ll reflect on how this impacts wider society and the implications of social influence for equality, diversity, and inclusion.
Explore group and individual psychology
You’ll explore the way conformity and resistance to authority work in different groups and individuals.
This understanding will help you explore the role of obedience within wider society.
Gain an understanding of media influence
One form of social influence can be seen within different types of media.
You’ll focus on media bias to understand how the media can influence perceptions of gender, race, and ethnicity and even political support and electoral behaviour.
Learn how to promote equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI)
You’ll examine the role of conflict as a by-product of diversity. Within this, you’ll consider the benefits and challenges of disagreements arising from diverse opinions, values, and norms.
Guided by the experts at the University of Lincoln, you’ll finish the course with the insights and skills to understand the role of social influence and apply it to your own practice. All of these elements can also be combined to promote EDI awareness in your organisation.
Syllabus
Week 1
Conformity, Obedience and Group Norms
Introduction
In this first activity, you'll get to know a bit more about the course, who we are and have the opportunity to introduce yourself.
Conformity
During this week, we will explore the concepts of conformity, social control, cohesion and obedience.
Obedience
During this activity, we'll consider how social influence and obedience can change our attitudes, behaviours and beliefs.
Summary and Reflection
This activity will summarise this week's content and ask you to undertake a reflective exercise.
Week 2
Social Influence and Equality Legislation
Welcome Back
This activity will provide a short recap of last week's learning and introduce this week's content.
Social Influence: EDI Legislation
During this activity, we'll consider we are socially influenced by EDI legislation.
EDI Legislation: Social Influence and Workplace Policy
During this activity, we'll explore how EDI legislation can feed into workplace policy.
Summary and Reflection
This activity will summarise this week's content and ask you to undertake a reflective exercise.
Week 3
Media and Social Influence
Welcome Back
This activity will provide a short recap of last week's learning and introduce this week's content.
Media Influence
During this activity, we'll examine how the media can shape our opinions and values.
Media Bias: Migrant Stereotyping
During this activity, we'll have a look at a specific type of media bias - migrant stereotyping.
Summary and Reflection
This activity will summarise this week's content and ask you to undertake a reflective exercise.
Week 4
Diversity, Inclusion and Conflict
Welcome Back
This activity will provide a short recap of last week's learning and introduce this week's content.
Conflict: A By-product of Diversity
During this activity, we'll consider how conflict is a necessary part of diversity and how this can lead to innovation.
Different Styles of Thinking and Innovation
During this activity, we'll explore how cultural differences can lead to conflict, but it is necessary for innovation.
Summary and Reflection
This activity will summarise this week's content and ask you to undertake a reflective exercise. A course overview will be provided and the course will conclude with a quiz to test your knowledge of the course material.
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Describe the significance of conformity, obedience and groups norms for equality, diversity and inclusion
- Identify reasons why people resist and challenge authority.
- Explore how policy and legislation can function as mechanisms of social influence.
- Explain the role of the media in shaping our opinions and values.
- Evaluate the likelihood of conflict as an outcome of diversity in your community or workplace.
- Discuss the benefits and challenges of conflicts of values and ideas for equality, diversity and inclusion.
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for those with a personal or professional interest in equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).
It will help you gain the skills to develop employee awareness and practice of EDI.
Who will you learn with?
Megan is a Researcher at the Eleanor Glanville Institute and is one of the equality, diversity and inclusion course developers.
Who developed the course?
Established
1996Location
Lincoln, Lincolnshire, UK
Ways to learn | Buy this course | Subscribe & save | Limited access |
---|---|---|---|
Choose the best way to learn for you! | $109/one-off payment | $244.99 for a whole year Automatically renews | Free |
Fulfill your current learning need | Develop skills to further your career | Sample the course materials | |
Access to this course | tick | tick | Access expires 5 Mar 2025 |
Access to 1,000+ courses | cross | tick | cross |
Learn at your own pace | tick | tick | cross |
Discuss your learning in comments | tick | tick | tick |
Certificate when you're eligible | Printed and digital | Digital only | cross |
Cancel for free anytime |
Ways to learn
Choose the best way to learn for you!
Subscribe & save
$244.99 for a whole year
Automatically renews
Develop skills to further your career
- Access to this course
- Access to 1,000+ courses
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Digital certificate when you're eligible
Cancel for free anytime
Buy this course
$109/one-off payment
Fulfill your current learning need
- Access to this course
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible
Limited access
Free
Sample the course materials
- Access expires 5 Mar 2025
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades) Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply. |
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)
Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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