minority influence

Question 1

outline the procedure of Moscovici’s study

Answer 1

• lab experiment
• 2 confederates (minority) and 4 Ps
• 36 blue slides of different shades was shown
• asked if the slide was blue or green
• confederates deliberately said they were green for 2/3 of trials
• also a control group used consisting of Ps only

Question 2

outline the findings of Moscovici’s study

Answer 2

• when confederates were consistent 8% Ps conformed
• when confederates were inconsistent 1% conformed
• shows that consistency is an important factor in minority influence

Question 3

what is consistency and how does it link to minority influence

Answer 3

• the majority is more likely to be influences by the minority when they’re consistent with their views

Question 4

what are the two types of consistency

Answer 4

• diachronic = when the group remains consistent over time
• synchronic = everyone in the group has the same views

Question 5

what is commitment and how does it link to minority influence

Answer 5

• the majority is more likely to be influenced when the minority have a lot of passion and confidence in their point of view

Question 6

what is flexibility and how does it link to minority influence

Answer 6

• majority is mor likely to be influenced by minority when they’re flexibility because it suggests they are reasonable, considerate and cooperative

Question 7

what are some weaknesses of Moscovici’s study

Answer 7

• lacks ecological validity = artificial task and stimuli means it lacks mundane realism and therefore can’t be easily generalised
• lacks population validity = gynocentric therefore has gender bias and is not representative of the population