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Year 8 - Citizenship

How do groups create change in society?

How can citizens bring about change?

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils explore the different ways citizens can take action and what role this plays in democracy.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain how groups, including pressure groups, drive social change and the effective methods they use.

Key Notes

  • Pressure groups, protest groups and social movements can create change by influencing decisions in society.
  • Pressure groups focus on specific issues, using methods like lobbying and protest groups protest for change.
  • Social movements unite large numbers of people to fight for broad social, political or cultural change.
  • Successful groups use various methods like petitions, media appearances, advertising campaigns and marches.
  • Greenpeace and the RSPCA show how pressure groups can protect the environment and animals and can create lasting change.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • society: people living together in an ordered community
  • pressure groups: groups that put pressure on the Government, or those in power, to do something or change something; they do not wish to have power themselves, they simply wish to achieve a goal

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Pressure groups are usually violent.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain the lesson in two key points.

Pressure groups, protest groups and social movements can create change by influencing decisions in society. Pressure groups focus on specific issues, using methods like lobbying and protest groups protest for change.

2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'society'

people living together in an ordered community.

3. Correct this common mistake.

Mistake: Pressure groups are usually violent. Correction: Pressure groups can lobby MPs and protest for change but usually in a peaceful way. There is a wide range of different pressure groups in the UK using peaceful methods to perform effective action and bring lasting change.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 8 Citizenship guide library.