Final answer:
Efforts to restrict fur purchases and promote alternatives are a social movement, aimed at transforming societal values regarding animal welfare and environmental protection.
Step-by-step explanation:
The act of attempting to prohibit the purchase of fur or promote fur alternatives can be regarded as a social movement because it represents a collective effort by individuals or organizations to enact social change concerning an issue that goes beyond personal self-interest. This type of advocacy reflects a shift in societal values towards animal welfare and environmental conservation, challenging traditional norms around conspicuous consumption and the fashion industry's impact on the natural world. Although such reforms may initially face resistance, historical precedence shows that societal attitudes can indeed be reshaped, as was the case with other movements that brought about changes in policy and public sentiment, such as wildlife protection and environmental activism.