Minority Influence

Question 1

Minority influence

Answer 1

A form of social influence in which a minority persuade others to adopt their beliefs, attitudes or behaviours. Leads to internalisation and conversion

Question 2

Consistency

Answer 2

Minority influence is most effective if the minority keeps the same beliefs

Question 3

Commitment

Answer 3

Minority influence is more powerful if the minority show dedication to their beliefs

Question 4

Flexibility

Answer 4

Minority influence is more effective if the minority are prepared to accept the possibility of compromise

Question 5

Moscovici et al (1969)

Answer 5

Procedure

• tested 32 groups of 6 women
• 2 women in each group were confederates and 4 were real
• 36 blue coloured slides were shown to the group, filters used to give slight variations
• asked to verbally describe
• confeds consistently said green
• there was also a control group which contained no confeds

Question 6

Findings

Answer 6

• participants agreed with confeds on 8% of trials
• 32% of participants agreed on at least one occasion
• order of confederates made no difference to the participants answers

Question 7

Evaluation

Answer 7

Strength- research support for consistency

E.g. Moscovici et al showed consistent minority opinion had a greater effect on other people that had an inconsistent opinion- wood et al carried out a meta analysis of almost 100 similar studies and found minorities who were most influential

Question 8

Artificial task

Colour on a slide
Far removed from how minorities change behaviour of majorities in real life

Answer 8

Limitation research support for depth of thought