Minority Influence

Question 1

What are the 3 characteristics of minority influence?

Answer 1

• Consistency
• Commitment
• Flexibility

Question 2

Define the 3 characteristics of Minority Influence.

Answer 2

Consistency - must stick to their values and not be hypocritical.

Commitment - must be willing to make sacrifices, such as loss of friendships.

Flexibility - must be reasonable and willing to compromise over the rate of change.

Question 3

What research is there for Consistency in minority influence?

Answer 3

Moscovici
- Asked participants to name the colour of a piece of blue card.
- 36 trials, 2 conditions (consistent & inconsistent)
- Each group of six had 2 confederates (the minority), and 4 participants (the majority).
- Consistent group led to 8% green answers from majority
- Inconsistent group led to 1.25% green answers from majority
- A minority must be consistent to be influential.

Question 4

What evaluation is there for Moscovici?

Answer 4

STRENGTH: Real World Application
- For leaders who want to influence

WEAKNESSES: Lacks Ecological validity
- As minorities usually have lower status

Lacks population validity
- Only used female participants in Paris

Question 5

How does social change happen?

Answer 5

The minority must convince the majority through internalisation.
- Firstly, draw attention to the issue then show the 3 characteristics.
- When they convince some, those people will convince others, creating a snowball effect