Minority Influence A01&3

Question 1

Limitation

Answer 1

P-minority influence research often involves artificial tasks
E-moscovicis task was identifying the colour of a slide, far removed from how minorities try to change majority opinion in real life
E-in jury decision making and political campaigning, outcomes are vastly more important, maybe a matter of life or death
L-findings of studies lack external validity and are limited in what they tell us about how minority influence works in real life situations

Question 2

Strength

Answer 2

P-research supports the involvement of internalisation in minority influence
E-moscovici varied his study: participants wrote their answers down, so their responses were private. Agreement with the minority was greater
E-this shows that internalisation took place. Members of the majority had been reluctant to admit their ‘conversion’ publically.
L-this shows people May be influenced by a minority but don’t admit it, therefore the effect of the minority is not apparent

Question 3

Strength

Answer 3

P-evidence shows change to minority position involves deeper thought
E-Martin et al. gave participants a message supporting a particular viewpoint, and attitudes measured. Then they heard an endorsement of the view from either a minority or a majority. Finally they heard a conflicting view; attitude measured again
E-people we’re less willingly to change their opinions to the new conflicting view if they had listened to a minority group than if they listened to a majority group
L-suggests that the minority message had been more deeply processed and had a more enduring effect