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Year 8

How do groups create change in society?

I can explain how groups, including pressure groups, drive social change and the effective methods they use.

icon-background-square
New
New
Year 8

How do groups create change in society?

I can explain how groups, including pressure groups, drive social change and the effective methods they use.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

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

Keywords

  • 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 misconception

Pressure groups are usually violent.

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.

You could research if there are any pressure groups in your area and include some local information in your lesson to make it more relevant to your class.
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Equipment

content-guidance

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
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Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

copyright

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on
Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
The UK is a representative ...
Correct Answer: democracy
Q2.
Article 21 of the protects the right for citizens to participate in politics.
UNCRC
Correct answer: UDHR
UNESCO
UNICEF
Q3.
What is the definition of lobbying?
Correct answer: influencing those in power
having your say in elections
signing to give your view
Q4.
Match the start of the sentence with its ending.
Correct Answer:Successful campaign methods include ,a clear campaign message.
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a clear campaign message.

Correct Answer:Campaigns need public support, but also ,help from people in power.
tick

help from people in power.

Correct Answer:A determination to succeed,will help make a campaign action effective.
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will help make a campaign action effective.

Q5.
In 2024, the UK Government launched the ...
Traditional Media Unit
Old Media Unit
Correct answer: New Media Unit
Modern Media Unit
Q6.
Which of the following is not crucial for effective action, but helps?
Correct answer: financial backing
clear message
public support
determination to succeed

6 Questions

Q1.
Pressure groups, protest groups and social movements can create lasting by influencing decisions in society.
Correct Answer: change, effects, impact
Q2.
Which of these groups try to influence government as their main campaign method?
Correct answer: pressure groups
social clubs
sports groups
Q3.
Social movements unite large numbers of people to fight for broad social, or cultural change.
Correct Answer: political, politics
Q4.
Match the type of group with its example.
Correct Answer:pressure group,Liberty
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Liberty

Correct Answer:protest group,the People's Assembly
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the People's Assembly

Correct Answer:social movement,the Fair Trade movement
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the Fair Trade movement

Q5.
What methods do successful groups use?
Correct answer: media appearances
Correct answer: petitions
Correct answer: marches
everyone working alone
avoiding debates
Q6.
Match the pressure group with its purpose.
Correct Answer:Greenpeace,protects the environment
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protects the environment

Correct Answer:RSPCA,protects animals
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protects animals

Correct Answer:NFU,protects farmers
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protects farmers

Correct Answer:the Badger Trust,protects badgers
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protects badgers