Social influence: minority influence

Question 1

Minority influence

Answer 1

a form of social influence in which a minority of people persuade others to adopt their beliefs, attitudes or behaviours, it leads to internalisation and conversion, private attitudes and public behaviours are changed

Question 2

Three strategies in minority influence

Answer 2

consistency, commitment, flexibility

Question 3

Consistency

Answer 3

minority influence is most effective if the minority all keep the same beliefs, over time and between all individuals, it draws attention to the views

Question 4

Commitment

Answer 4

minority influence is more powerful if the minority demonstrate dedication to their position, e.g. by making personal sacrifices

Question 5

Flexibility

Answer 5

relentless consistency is counterproductive if seen by majority as unbending and unreasonable, so minority influence is most effective if the minority show flexibility and compromise

Question 6

Diachronic consistency

Answer 6

consistency over time

Question 7

Synchronic consistency

Answer 7

consistency between members

Question 8

Snowball effect

Answer 8

the more new arguments that could be brought up, the faster the rate of conversion

Question 9

Augmentation principle

Answer 9

when minorities conduct risky activities to gain attention from the majority members

Question 10

Six steps of minority influence

Answer 10

Drawing attention
Consistency
Deeper processing
Augmentation principle
Snowball effect
Social cryptomnesia