19. Minority Influence AO3

Question 1

Name a strength of consistency

Answer 1

Research evidence demonstrates importance of consistency

Question 2

Outline Moscovici et al’s research into importance of consistency

Answer 2

Moscovici et al - found a consistent minority opinion had greater effect on other people than in an inconsistent opinion

Question 3

Outline a piece of research that supports Moscovici’s theory

Answer 3

Researcher conducted meta-analysis of almost 100 similar studies - found minorities seen as being consistent were most influential

Question 4

How does research evidence support consistency?

Answer 4

Confirms that consistency is a major factor in minority influence

Question 5

Name two limitations of minority influence

Answer 5

1. Research often involves artificial tasks

2. Applications are limited

Question 6

Give an example of minority influence research that uses artificial tasks

Answer 6

Moscovici - identifying colour of slide

Question 7

What is the issue with the artificial nature of Moscovici’s research?

Answer 7

Far removed from how minority’s change major opinions IRL - e.g. Jury decision making may be a matter of life or death

Question 8

What is the main issue of using artificial tasks?

Answer 8

Findings of study’s lack external validity - limited in what they tell us about how minority influence IRL

Question 9

Outline the limitation of trying to apply minority influence research

Answer 9

Studies make clear distinction between minority and majority - but difference is about more than numbers - majority usually have power/status - minority are committed tight-knit groups who know/support each other - IRL it’s more complicated

Question 10

What can be concluded about applications of social influence

Answer 10

Minority influence research rarely reflects dynamics of these groups - findings may not apply to real life minority influence situations - which excerpt more powerful influence