social influence: minority influence

Question 1

what is minority influence?

Answer 1

form of social influence and leads to majority converting their beliefs, attitudes and behaviours to match the minority

Question 2

what are the 3 factors that enhance the effectiveness of a minority?

Answer 2

consistency
commitment
flexibility

Question 3

what is consistency

Answer 3

keeps same belief over time
draws attention to minority
majority rethink own views
leads to cognitive conflict and overtime internalisation

Question 4

what is commitment

Answer 4

making personal sacrifices
demonstrates dedication

Question 5

what is flexibility

Answer 5

listening to majority’s opinion
adapt their point of view
compromise

Question 6

EVAL of research into minority influence

research support - moscovici
consistency

Answer 6

female participants
2 confederates being consistent- real participants agreed with minority 8.42% of trials

2 confederates being inconsistent- 1.25% agreed

Question 7

EVAL of research into minority influence
research support - nemeth
flexibility

Answer 7

groups of 3
1 confederate decide how much to pay a victim for a ski lift accident
consistent - low amount/ no effect
compromised- majority changed there opinion to low amount

Question 8

EVAL for research into minority influence
validity

Answer 8

lack ecological validity - took place in lab
careful when we generalise findings to real life minority influence

lack population validity - all females
biased sample
can’t generalise to wider population

overall validity can be questioned

Question 9

EVAL of research into minority influence
identification is also important for MI

Answer 9

if they identify with the minority
argument may be more persuasive and have greater influence
e.g homosexual rights