Minority Influence Flashcards
What is minority influence
a type of social influence that motivates individuals to reject established majority group norms
How is minority influence achieved
Minority influence is acheived through the use of conversion, where majorities become gradually won over to a minority vewipoint. Where the new veiwpoint becomes publically and privetly accepted (aslo seen as a type of internalsiation) this normally occurs through the use of isi where the minority provide new info and ideas. Minority influence takes longer to achieve as individuals must re examine their beleifs in the light of new info that the minority are advocating.
Moscovici 1969
he took groups of 6 participants and showed them blue slides that varied in tone and intensity, the pps had to state out loud what colour they thouht the slide was, there were 2 confederates in each group. The confederates either said green to blue slides on every trial or 2/3 of the trial. 8.2% of true pps also said green when minority was consistent but 1.25 when inconsistent.
Evaluation of moscovici
Moscovici only used female pps (gynocentric) bcs he thought they would be more interested in colours, therefore the results are not generalisable to men. Its unethical as it includes deceit as informed consent wasnt given. Pps may have also ecdured mild stress. Study does not involve factors of minority influence like group size, status, or degree of organisation.
Conditions of an effective minority: consistency
– consistency: minority inflcunce will be pursuasive if minority is consistent as it shows confidence in beleifs and appeards unbais
Conditions of an effective minority: flexibility
– flexibility: you cant appear too rigid and unrealistic if you uncompormise your beleifs as it wont be persuasive, you must be reasonable
Conditions of an effective minority: commitment
commitment: you must stay true to your origional point of veiw as you cannot be seen as swaying to 2 diff sides as this will show uncertainity and will not be persuasive.
