Moniroty Influence

Question 1

Outline what is meant by minority influence

Answer 1

A 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

State the three behavioural styles needed to enhance the influence of the minority

Answer 2

1. Commitment
2. Consistency
3. Flexibility

Question 3

Define commitment

Answer 3

The degree to which members of a minority are dedicated to a particular cause or activity- the greater the commitment, the greater the influence

Question 4

Define consistency

Answer 4

Minority influence is effective when the minority keeps the same beliefs, both other time, and between different members of the minority group

Question 5

State the two types of consistency

Answer 5

1. Synchronic consistency
2. Diachronic consistency

Question 6

Outline synchronic consistency

Answer 6

Consistency between people in the minority

Question 7

Outline diachronic consistency

Answer 7

Consistency over time

Question 8

Define flexibility

Answer 8

The more people who ‘convert’ to the minority view the faster the rate of conversion

Question 9

Describe the procedure of Moscovici at al. (1969) study showing support for consistency in influencing the majority

Answer 9

• 172 female, American participants were tested to ensure that they were not colour blind
• in groups of 6 (2 were confederates) participants were asked to state the colour of 26 slides- all of the slides were different shades of blue
• in condition A- confederates were consistent and called the slides green on all trials
• in condition B- the confederate were inconsistent and called the slides green 24 times and blue 12 times

Question 10

Describe the results of Moscovici et al. (1969) study

Answer 10

When they were in a group where confederates consistently gave wrong answer (called slides green) participants answered ‘green’ in 8.42% of trials compared to 1.25% of trials in inconsistent group