Minority Influence

Question 1

A01

Define minority influence

Answer 1

A form of social influence in which a minority of people persuade others to adopt their beliefs,attitudes or behaviours
leading to internalisation/conversion of private & public attitudes

Question 2

A01

Outline Moscovici blue green slide study in relation to minority influence

Answer 2

demonstrated minority influence in a study where 172 p in group of 6 ( 4p & 2 CF)
asked to view set of 36 blue-coloured slides that varied in intensity & then state whether the slides were blue or green
In condition A:confederates were consistent & called slides green on all trials
Condition B-Confederates were inconsistent & called slides green 24 times & blue 12 times

Question 3

Outline Moscovici ‘blue -green slide’ findings

Answer 3

When CF were consistent with their answers 8% of P said slides were green,
however when CF answered inconsistently about 1% of p said slides were green
Shows consistency is crucial for
Minority to extent influence on
Majority

Question 4

Outline Moscovici ‘blue-green slide’ conclusions

Answer 4

Minorities can influence majorities
minority influence is strong when minority is consistent in their views .
When minority is inconsistent in their views they are less influential

Question 5

A01

Identify 3 main process in minority influence

Answer 5

1. Consistency
2. Commitment
3. Flexibility

Question 6

A01

Consistency

Answer 6

Minority must be consistent in their views
overtime this consistency increases interest from other people.
Consistency can take form of agreement between people in minority group
* Diachronic consistency - group remains consistent over time – they do not
change their views over time.
* Synchronic consistency - members of majority group are more likely to consider minority position & reconsider their own
A consistent minority makes ppl rethink their own views

Question 7

A01

Commitment

Answer 7

The majority is likely to be influenced by minority when minority is committed,
when minority have confidence in their point of view, it suggests to majority their view must somehow be valid,
encourages to explore why; offering more opportunity to be influenced.

Question 8

A01

Flexibility

Answer 8

The majority- likely to be influenced by minority when they are flexible.
Being too consistent can suggest minority is inflexible, uncompromising &
irrational, making their argument less appealing to majority.
However, if appear
flexible, compromising & rational, theymore likely to be seen as reasonable & cooperative

Question 9

A01

Explaining the process of change

Answer 9

All of the 3 factors make ppl think about the minorities view , it is the deeper processing which is important in process of conversion to a diff minority viewpoint
overtime increasing numers of ppl switch from majority position to the minority position - they become ‘converted’
the more this happens , fatser the rate of conversion -snowball effect

Question 10

A03

Outline Research support for consistency-Moscovici

Strength

Answer 10

Moscovici blue/green slide study showed that consistent minority opinion had greater effect on changing views of other ppl than inconsistent opinion.
wood et al-meta analysis of 100 similar studies-found minorities who were consistent more influential
suggests consistent view can influence a majority

Question 11

A03

Artificial tasks-Moscovici

Limitation

Answer 11

Tasks involved in minority influence research involves artificial tasks
e.g Moscovici colour of slides study
Research is removed from how minorities attempt to change behaviours of majorities in real life
findings of minority influence is lacking in external validity & limited in explaining how it works in real world situations

Question 12

A03

Explain how commitment,consistency & flexibility have real life applications

strength & counterpoint

Answer 12

they can inform minority groups about the best way to behave in order to exert a maximum amount of influence.
However, it is worth considering that the majority is not only
larger than the minority, but often has greater connections and more power. Therefore, the
three techniques described above are not always enough to change the opinion of an
audience.

Question 13

A03

Mass & Clark-Commitment can have opposite effect on majority -gay ppl

Limitation

Answer 13

Mass & Clark found that if majority sees minority has self interest in their campaign they are less likely to be influenced by them.
found gay minorites arguing for gay rights was seen as to have more self-interest & be less persuasive than a heterosexual minority arguing for same cause.
Concludes- we can still be commited to a cause that doesnt directly affect us but if majority percieve minority to have a vested interest in their cause they become suspcisious & not as influenced