Minority influence

Question 1

define minority influence

Answer 1

a form of social influence where members of the majority groups changed their beliefs/behaviours, as a results of their exposure of a persuasive minority.

Question 2

What are the key factors of a successful minority influence?

Answer 2

1. flexibility
2. commitment
3. consistency

Question 3

commitment

Answer 3

minorities exert influence by showing dedication = making sacrifices when necessary - gives their cause credibility

Question 4

consistency 3 points

Answer 4

• very effective

- the minority group is confident and maintain it over time

Question 5

flexibility

Answer 5

• negotiate their position with the majority and not try to enforce it
• not dogmatic or narrowminded
• majority opinions shift more if the minority is flexible

Question 6

key study

Answer 6

Moscovici et al

Question 7

Moscovici et al - aim

Answer 7

to investigate the role of a consistent minority upon levels of a majority in an ambiguous situation

Question 8

Moscovici et al - procedure

Answer 8

• female pps were placed into groups - 6 to 4 real pps and 3 confederates
• pps were told it was an investigation into perception
• the groups were shown 36 blue slides, varying in colour intensity - asked to judge the colour of each slide
• two conditions - consistent minority - answered green for all slides/ inconsistent - answered green for 24/36 slides

Question 9

findings/conclusion

Answer 9

consistent - 8.2% agreed
inconsistent - 1.25% agreed
control group - less than 1% responded green

conclusion - consistent conditon significantly higher - although minority influence is small = consistency is the important variable.