A form of social influence where members of the majority group change their beliefs or behaviours as a result of their exposure to a persuasive minority
Successful minorities
Consistent
Committed
Flexible in their arguments
Consistency
If the minority is consistent in its arguments, others consider the issue more carefully as there must be a reason why the minority is sufficiently confident to maintain this position over time
Commitment
A minority that adopts commitment to its position suggests certainty and confidence in the face of a hostile majority
The 'value' of minority influence is that it 'opens the mind'
Exposure to a minority position Causes people to make better decisions, search for information, consider more options, and show evidence of more creative thought processes
Research support for the role of flexibility in a simulated jury situation
• A confederate who compromised late in negotiations (showing flexibility) did exert an influence, but one who compromised earlier did not (perceived as having caved in)
