minority influence

• How can the process of social influence from a minority group result in social change?

  minority groups contribute to social influence by being consistent, committed and flexible-challenging the views held by the majority, creating a snowball effect (minority becomes the majority) and potentially leading to social crypto amnesia
• minority influence = a form of social influence where a small group or individual persuade others to adopt their beliefs , leading to internalisation
• for the minority group to effectively influence the majority they must be: consistent, flexible and committed
• consistency - minority group must keep the same beliefs both over time and between themselves. this is effective as it draws attention to the minority view
• 2 types of consistency: synchronic=all members of the group are saying the same thing. diachronic = all members of the group have been saying the same thing for some time now
• commitment = minority influence is more effective when the group show their dedication to their view - sometimes through making personal sacrifices
• flexibility = relentless consistency of the minority group can be counter productive - instead the group should show they're willing to compromise slightly and accept valid counter - arguments
• mossovici's blue/green card study demonstrates the importance of consistency - showing that the consistent minority opinion had a greater effect of changing peoples views than an inconsistent minority
• Nemeth argues minorities need to be willing to adapt viewpoints and compromise, his research highlights importance of flexibility but questions idea of consistency.
• What is minority influence?

  When majority members adopt minority views
• What factors enhance minority influence?

  • Consistency
  • Commitment
  • Flexibility
• What does consistency mean in minority influence?

  Repeating the same message over time
• Why is commitment important in minority influence?

  It shows willingness to suffer for beliefs
• How does flexibility contribute to minority influence?

  It shows reasonableness and openness to arguments
• limitation of minority influence research - artificial tasks used, such as blue/green card study and Asch's line study - lacks ecological validity