Discuss how findings from social influence research could be used to change social policies

Social change is when society adopts a new belief or way of behaving which then becomes widely accepted as the norm, and can be positive or negative. Social influence research tells us how whole societies might change, and is the process of bringing about significant societal changes, which usually results in a conflict with those in authority or power- It could be used to educate others also.
Research into obedience had exposed an intellectual illusion that often hinders critical discussion about why people behave inhumanely- the belief that only evil people do evil acts. Research by Milgram and Zimbardo showed that ordinary, decent people who are placed in positions of power, or put under pressure to obey an authority figure, may commit evil acts. Recent events in Iraq (the Abu Ghraib prison incident) has reinforced the fact that we need to be aware of the circumstances which lead to this, to reduce the likelihood of such behaviour.
To help in resisting unwanted influences, Zimbardo suggested a ten-step programme; examples of the step include to admit mistakes, to be mindful, to assert your individuality, to not sacrifice freedom for the illusion of security, to oppose unjust systems. If people follow these steps, they will be more likely to become more independent and responsible, and confident in their own mind and beliefs/values. By doing so, they will be more inclined to voice out against an unjust situation, or the social policies of the time, and therefore be able to resist the unwanted influence, perhaps by rebelling against the unjust authority, thus creating a change for the better.
In Hofling’s hospital study, 22 real nurses were observed to see if they would break three hospital rules by obeying a ‘Dr Smith’ on the phone, and administrating an overdose of the drug astroten to a medical patient, ‘Mr Jones’; they were told that the doctor was in a hurry and would sign the authorization form when he came to see Mr. Jones later on. It was found that 21 out of 22 nurses (95%) were easily influenced into carrying out the orders, even though they weren't supposed to take instructions by phone, let alone exceed the allowed dose (although the drug was a placebo). When other nurses were asked to discuss what they would do in a similar situation (a control group), 21 out of 22 said they would not comply with the order. Therefore, Hofling demonstrated that people are very unwilling to question supposed ‘authority’, even when they might have good reason to.
Hofling’s obedience study of nurses’ behaviour made the medical profession aware of how junior hospital staff can be influenced by senior staff to the point where they will break important hospital rules, ultimately putting patients’ lives at risk. Therefore, changes were made to the hospital rules, including that fact that there has to be strict ‘sign off procedures’ for administering medication, and psychology courses have to be part of nurses’ training. This knowledge should make them less likely to ‘blindly’ obey, thus reducing the risk of patients being harmed (unknowingly).
In Orlando’s experiment, a replica/extension of Milgram’s prison experiment, 29 staff members at Elgin State Hospital in Illinois were confined to a mental ward, in which they performed the role of ‘patient’ for 3 days; 22 regular staff played their usual roles, while trained observers and video cameras recorded what occurred. Soon after, the mock patients began acting as the real patients would: 6 tried to escape, 2 withdrew into themselves, 2 wept uncontrollably, and 1 came close to having a nervous breakdown; most experienced a general increase in tension, anxiety, frustration, and despair. One participant stated that they used to look at the patients as if they were a bunch of animals, but they never knew what they were going through before. The experiment caused the staff at the hospital to increase their empathy, and to change their attitudes towards their patients; training programmes were also implemented to enhance staff-patient relationships.
Orlando’s experiment resulted in the formation of an organization of staff members who worked cooperatively with current and former patients, and who became dedicated in raising the consciousness of the rest of the hospital personnel about the way patients were being mistreated. The impacts of his research are extensive, as carers in positions of power know that they need to empathise with those they care for in order to treat them with respect; this can be achieved through regular training, adequate staffing, and education.