Minority Influence

Question 1

What is minority influence?

Answer 1

a type of social influence that motivates individuals to reject established majority group norms

this is achieved through the process of conversion

Question 2

what is conversion?

Answer 2

where majorities become gradually won over to a minority viewpoint

involves the new belief/behaviour being accepted both publicly and privately can can be seen as a type of internalisation

Question 3

Why does conversion usually take a long time?

Answer 3

occurs through informational social influence (ISI) where conformity will take longer because time will be taken for individuals to re-examine their beliefs and behaviours in light of the new information the minorities are advocating

Question 4

What is the snowball effect (a.k.a cryptoamnesia)

Answer 4

the gradual process by which minority opinions become majority ones

Question 5

What the two behavioural styles are needed for minority influence?

Answer 5

consistency and commitment

flexibility

Question 6

What is consistency and commitment ?

Answer 6

the most important feature as the minority opinion is unchanging and shows confidence and commitment in their beliefs

Question 7

What is flexibility?

Answer 7

if minorities are seen to be flexible by demonstrating an ability to be moderate, co-operative and reasonable, then they will be persuasive