Minority influence

Question 1

definition (opposite of conformity/majority influence)

Answer 1

individuals reject the majority view/beliefs and convert to the minority opinions. a minority can challenge the beliefs and values of the majority (through ISI) causing them to re-think their beliefs, leads to internalization or conversion, private/public attitudes are changed

Question 2

Moscovici ‘blue slide, green slide’ study’

Answer 2

claimed that Asch emphasised that the majority in a group influenced the minority. In his opinion, possible for a minority to influence the majority.

Question 3

3 main processes in minority influence

Answer 3

• consistency: minority must be consistent in their view to increase interest in others, by repeating the same message over time (diachronic) consistency, makes argument more powerful.
• Flexibility: consistency can be rigid if its the same thing being repeated (dogmatic) , they need to adapt their point and accept valid criticism, balance the 2, cognitive conflict
• Commitment: minority are willing to suffer for their belief, majority pay attention (augmentation principle)

Question 4

snowball effect

Answer 4

more people adopt the minority opinion, the minority becomes the majority. people who have not changed their opinion are the minority, conform to the majority view as a result of group pressures.
-social crypto-amnesia and the snowball effect, gradually the minority turns into the majority

Question 5

Evaluation (strength)

Answer 5

-research support for consistency, Moscovic blue, green slide study showed a consistent minority opinion had a greater effect on changing the views of others, 4 pps 2 confederates showed 36 slides of shades of blue in 2 conditions. (1) consistent minority stated all slides were green, 32% (2) compared to 1.25% with an inconsistent minority.

Question 6

Weakness

Answer 6

-minority influence lacks mundane realism, artificial tasks Asch or Moscovic ,research removed from how minorities attempt to change the behaviour of majorities in real life, other cases like jury decision making are more important, findings of minority influence studies lack external validity limited explanations.

Question 7

Strength

Answer 7

-research support for deeper processing, evidence minority influence leads to deeper processing, Martin et al presented a message supporting a particular viewpoint and measured pps agreement, 1 group heard a minority group agree with the initial view while the other heard a majority agree with it, exposed with conflicting view measured again. less willing to change opinions with the minority group it had been deeply processed more enduring effect