Minority influence

• Key point about minority influence in social influence

  Conversion to minority position results in deeper internalised view, minority must get majority to think about arguments for and against
• What is consistency as part of minority influence

  Minority must consistent in viewpoint, increases others interest. Repeat same message consistently to promote thinking and discussion
• What is commitment as part of minority influence

  Show commitment to cause, sacrifice to show importance of issue to minority
• What is flexibility as part of minority influence

  More effective than rigid consistency, powerless minority must negotiate not enforce with majority
• What is Moscovici’s study as part of minority influence

  Investigate effect of consistent minorit. 2 confederates, 4 participants (All Female with successful eye tests) shown 36 clearly blue slides and asked color. First the confederates consistently answered green 24 times and blue 12 times. Found consistent condition had participants say green 8% of time on slides - inconsistent had 1.25%. 32% of participants said green once. concluded consistency is effective
• What is strength of minority influence

  Supporting study of consistency > moscovici found consistent confederates had much higher effect on majority. Weakness of lack validity as lab setting
• Strength of minority influence

  Supporting study for flexibility > Nemeth Ski payout study = found flexible minority caused majority to compromise
• Strength of minority influence

  Power of minority influence > in written variation of Moscovici study, participants more likely to agree with minority- people afraid to publically be in minority
• Weakness of minority influence

  Ethical considerations > minimises the true nature of minority often being oppressed by majority, less able to change