Lesson 8 - Social Science - Leading questions

The survey you just completed was designed to produce two different sets of responses. The questions I used are called 'leading questions', they are designed to influence how you think. Watch the following film carefully.

​This extract is taken from a British comedy from the 1980s, Yes Prime Minister. It is a satire about the nature of British government. In this scene two government officials are talking about the the Prime Minister's proposal to introduce a Swiss style National Service (le service militaire). 

The scene shows how leading questions can influence how someone responds to the question asked. 

To get someone to support national service ask the following questions:

Are you worried about the number of young people without jobs?
Are you worried about the rise in crime among teenagers?
Do you think there is lack of discipline in our comprehensive schools?
Do you think young people welcome some authority and leadership in their lives?
Do you think they’ll respond to a challenge?
Would you be in favour of reintroducing National Service?

To get someone to oppose national service ask the following questions:

Are you worried about the danger of war?
Are you worried about the growth of armaments?
Do you think there’s a danger in giving young people guns and teaching them how to kill?
Do you think it’s wrong to force people to take up arms against their will?
Would you oppose the reintroduction of National Service?​