SI, Minority Influence

Question 1

Outline minority influence

Answer 1

• Minority influence is the change of the majority’s beliefs due to a small group/individual. It is the opposite of conformity
• Moscovici (1969) 3 processes: consistency, commitment flexibility -> lead to an increase of people converted to minority view, this is the snowball effect.

Question 2

What is consistency?

Answer 2

• having consistent views
• 2 types: synchronic: everyone saying same thing
  diachronic: saying same thing for long time

Question 3

what is commitment?

Answer 3

• having extreme views/taking part in extreme activities
• augmentation principle

Question 4

what is flexibility?

Answer 4

• minority must adapt their view, accept reasonable & valid counterpoints

Question 5

what is the snowball effect?

Answer 5

• 3 processes make people think about the minority cause
• over time increasing numbers are converted
• minority becomes the majority