Minority Influence

Question 1

3 factors of minority influence

Answer 1

1. consistency
2. commitment
3. flexibility

Question 2

how does the minority show consistency?

Answer 2

• keep same argument to persuade
• makes people think they know what they’re talking about

Question 2

2 types of consistency and what they are

Answer 2

• synchronic - all minority say same thing
• diachronic - remain consistent over time

Question 3

how does the minority show commitment

Answer 3

• minority is mre powerful if show commitment through making sacrifices as shows not acting ou of self interest
• augmentatioin principle

Question 4

how does minority show flexibility?

Answer 4

• willing to adapt ~POV and accept reasonable/valid arguments so as not to appear dogmatic

Question 5

snowball effect

Answer 5

• nimority get majority to think about their argument through commitment, consistency and flexibility
• persuades conversion
• over time more people converted
• the more people converted the faster rate of conversion until minority becomes majority and change occurs

Question 6

Moscovici et al. sample

Answer 6

176 women

Question 7

Moscovici et al. procedure

Answer 7

• 6 Ps (including 2 Cs) in either consistent, inconsistent or control condition, look at 36 blue slides of varying intensity
• state whether slide is blue or green
• inconsistent condintion - Cs say slide is green 2/3 trials
• consistent - green in all trials

Question 8

Moscovici et al. findings and conclusions

Answer 8

• Ps gave same incorrect answer 8.4% trials in consistent condition and 1.35% of trials in inconsistent condition
• 32% Ps gave same incorrect answer on at least 1 trial
• supports idea of consistency helping persuade others

Question 9

4 eval points for Moscovici et al. (2 +ve, 2 -ve)

Answer 9

• artificial procedure
• ignores fact results may partly be due to Ps conforming to each other not following minority
• lab experiment so highly controlled and likely accurate, using a control group, where only said wrong colour on 0.25% trials
• standardised as all Ps tested for colour blindess before

Question 10

Nameth and Brilmayer aim

Answer 10

investigate flexibility and consistency in minority influence

Question 11

Nameth and Brilmayer procedure

Answer 11

• based on mock jury of 3 Ps ad 1 C, deciding how much compensation to give the victim of a ski lift accident

Question 12

Nameth and Brilmayer findings and conclusions

Answer 12

• when minority was consistent, not changing position or arguing, had no effect on majority
• when minoritycompromised and moved a bit towards majority view, majority moved too and changed their view
• flexibility and consistency together help to persuade others

Question 13

3 eval points of Nameth and Brilmayer

Answer 13

• lab experiment so may not reflect real life minority influence - task very realistic so may not be so
• supported by many similar studies, suggesting increased internal validity
• can be applied to real life situations, such as business deals