Minority influence

Question 1

What is minority influence?

Answer 1

A form of social influence where members of the majority group change their beliefs or behaviours as a result of their exposure to persuasive behaviour

Question 2

What kind of processes does a minority influence create?

Answer 2

A conversion process

Question 3

What three behavioural styles must minorities adopt to bring about the conversion process?

Answer 3

1) consistent
2) commitment
3) flexibility

Question 4

What did Wood find in his meta analysis of 97 studies?

Answer 4

Minorities who were perceived as being consistent in expressing their position were particularly influential

Question 5

Why is commitment an important facto for minority influence?

Answer 5

It suggests certainty, confidence and courage in the face of a hostile majority. This encourages the majority to take them more seriously

Question 6

What does Mugny suggest about the effectiveness of flexibility?

Answer 6

Negotiating with the majority can lead to compromise. However, cannot be too flexible else risks being seen as inconsistent