7. Minority Influence

Question 1

What is minority influence?

Answer 1

• social influence where a minority of people persuaded others to adopt their belief, sometimes leading to internalisation

Question 2

What are the three features the Minority must have to persuade others? (Undergoing Minority Influence)

Answer 2

They must be:
- Consistent, minority being consistent in their views to increase the amount of interest
- Committed, the minority must show their commitment to show people how dedicated they are
- Flexible, willing to compromise their beliefs to prove their point has developed

Question 3

Name the two types of consistency

Answer 3

• synchronic- all minority are saying the same thing
• diachronic- they’ve been saying it for a while

Question 4

What is the augmentation principle?

Answer 4

It’s part of the Commitment that the Minority need to influence others
- the idea that others believe the minority as they clearly show how they are committed to the views

Question 5

What are the strengths for the Minority Influence principle?

Answer 5

• evidence proving consistency
• Moscovici et als study shows consistent minority opinion had a greater effect on changing the views of other people than an inconsistent opinion
• evidence shows supporting a minority involves deeper processing
• Martin et Als research found people were less willing to change their opinions if they had listened to a minority group than a majority
  COUNTERPOINT: Martin et Als research does not reflect real world complexities

Question 6

What is the limitations of the Minority Influence?

Answer 6

• findings of minority influence lack validity as they don’t reflect real
  World situations