In the context of social psychology, why did Rosa Parks refuse to give up her seat on the bus in 1955?

• A. She wanted to protest racial segregation and challenge unjust social norms.
• B. She was waiting for a friend to join her before moving.
• C. She was unaware of the bus rules regarding seating.
• D. She was physically unable to move from her seat.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the historical and social context of the event: In 1955, racial segregation laws in the United States enforced separate seating for Black and white passengers on public buses, which was a form of systemic discrimination.
2. Recognize Rosa Parks' action as a deliberate act of civil disobedience aimed at challenging these unjust social norms and laws, rather than a passive or accidental behavior.
3. Identify the motivation behind her refusal to give up her seat: it was a protest against racial segregation and an effort to promote civil rights and equality.
4. Distinguish this motivation from other possible reasons such as waiting for a friend, ignorance of the rules, or physical inability, which do not align with the historical facts and her known intentions.
5. Conclude that Rosa Parks' refusal was a conscious and symbolic act to resist racial injustice and inspire social change, making it a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement.