Minority influence

Subdecks (1)

Cards (19)

  • Minority influence

    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
  • Minority influence doesn't need to lead to social change
  • Behavioural style
    • Consistency
    • Commitment
    • Flexibility
  • Consistency
    Stability in an expressed position over time and agreement among different members of the minority
  • Commitment
    The degree to which members of a minority are dedicated to a particular cause. The greater the perceived commitment, the greater the influence
  • Flexibility
    A willingness to be flexible and to compromise when expressing a position
  • Participants
    Told the study was about colour perception
  • Groups
    • 6 participants
    • 4 naïve participants
    • 2 confederates
  • Procedure
    1. Shown a series of blue slides that varied in intensity
    2. Asked to judge the colour of each slide
  • Trials
    • Consistent trial
    • Inconsistent trial
  • Consistent trial

    Confederates repeatedly called the blue slides 'green' on every trial
  • Inconsistent trial

    Confederates called the blue slide 'green' on 2/3 of the trials
  • Consistent minority

    Influenced the naïve participants to say 'green' on over 8% of the trials
  • Inconsistent minority
    Only influenced the participants on 1.25% of the trials
  • Moscovici (1969)