Minority Influence

Question 1

What psychologist conducted a study regarding minority influence

Answer 1

Moscovici

Question 2

Moscovicis research into minority influence

Answer 2

One group of 6 people were asked to view a set of 36 blue-coloured slides that varied in intensity and then state if the slides were blue or green.
In each group there was 2 confederates that said the slide was green consistently .
The particpants agreed with the confederates 8.42% of the time.

Another group of participants were exposed to an inconsistent minority.
Confederates said the slide was green 24 times and blue 12 times
The participants agreed with the confederates 1.25% of the time

A final group had no confederates and all they had to do was identify the colour
They got it wrong 0.25% of the time.

Question 3

What are the 3 types of processes in minority influence

Answer 3

Consistency
Flexibility
Commitment

Question 4

What is consistency

Answer 4

Moscovicis research suggests that minority influence is most effective when minority are constant with their views.

There are 2 types of consistency:
Synchronic consistency is when everyone in a group is at an agreement and saying the same thing.
Diachronic consistency is when a view is constant over a period of time.

Question 5

What is flexibility

Answer 5

A psychologist argues that members of the minority should be prepared to compromise and adapt their point of view and accept reasonable and valid counter arguments.
They need to strike a balanced between consistency and flexibility.

Question 6

Whats commitment

Answer 6

This is when the minority demonstrate commitment to their cause or views, to show dedication, especially if it invloves making a personal sacrifice. This will increase the influence of the minority as it shows that they are to acting out of self-interests (known as the argumentative principle). This then causes the majority to pay more attention to the minority.

Question 7

Strength of minority influence
(Write these up and ask Sarah)

Answer 7

P-real world application
E- civil right movements, such as Martin Luther king, show how consistent, committed minorities can bring out significant social change.
E- ecological validity

P- supporting research for flexibility
E- a psychologist found that minorities are more persuasive when they are flexible, this is because they are wiling to compromise to the minority is open to change.
E- shows that influence isn’t just about consistency and that other factors impact the influence as well.

Question 8

Limitation of minority influence

Answer 8

P- artificial task
E- they are in a lab setting that is controlled, therefore they know they are being studied therefore might indentify the aim then show demand characteristics. They aren’t participating in a day to day task, therefore my not pay much attention, which would lead to them conforming more because its no something that is going to affect them
E- doesn’t tell us about the minority influence in real life

P- minority influence is usually very slow
E- it’s suggested that minority influence takes a long time to produce a significant social change. People often resist as they done want to go against a large group of people, as well as this its hard too measure these long term effects in a short term study
E- minority influence might be missed