Minority Influence

Question 1

Minority Influence

Answer 1

Form of social influence where members of the majority group change their beliefs or behaviours as a result of their exposure to a persuasive minority

Question 2

Flexibility

Answer 2

Willingness to be flexible and to compromise when expressing a position

Question 3

Consistency

Answer 3

Minority influence is effective provided there is stability in the expressed position over time and agreement among different members of the minority

Question 4

Commitment

Answer 4

Degree to which members of a minority are dedicated to a particular cause or activity. The greater the perceived commitment, the greater the influence

Question 5

Minority Influence

Answer 5

• Minority influence effective with a consistant, committed and flexible style
• Wood et al. - minorities who were especially consistent were most influential
• Commitment important as it suggests certainty and confidence
• Flexibility more effective at changing opinion than rigid arguments

Question 6

Moscovici et al 1969 Procedure

Answer 6

• groups of 4 naive pps and 2 confederates
• shown blue slides varying in intensity but confederates called them green
• Group 1 confederates answered consistently
• Group 2 confederates answered inconsistently

Question 7

Moscovici et al 1969 Findings

Answer 7

• consistent minority influenced by naive pps to say green on 8% of the trials
• inconsistent minority exerted very little influence