Minority Influence

Question 1

Research
(Consistency)

Answer 1

If the minority is consistent this attracts the attention of the majority over time

Question 2

Research
(Commitment)

Answer 2

Personal sacrifices show commitment, attract attention and reinforce message

Question 3

Research
(Flexibility)

Answer 3

Minority more convincing if they accept some counter arguments

Question 4

Research
(Explaining process of change)

Answer 4

Snowball effect: minority becomes the majority

Question 5

Muscovici’s Research

Answer 5

172 females (deceived), 2 out of 6 were confederates. Had to say if slide was blue or green
. Consistency was the best way for the minority to become the majority

Question 6

Nemeth Research

Answer 6

. Had to agree in amount of compensation they would give to a victim of ski - lift accident
. 1 participant in each group was confederate and 2 conditions
1.) minority refused to change position
2.) minority compromised slightly higher rate of compensation

. In inflexible condition - minority had little/no effect on the majority

Question 7

Evaluation of Minority Influence

Answer 7

Research support for consistency = Muscovici’s research

Artificial Tasks = tasks often trivial - tell us little about real world influence

Power of minority influence = more people agree with minority in private

Question 8

Minority becoming majority

Answer 8

1. Snowball effect (started by consistency, flexibility, commitment)
2. Critical Mass (tipping point of minority becoming majority)
3. Social - cryptomnesia (describes the process where people remember that a social change has occurred but forget how it happened)