minority influence

• minority influence


  a form of social influence whereby a majority change their attitudes, beliefs or opinions due exposure to a persuasive minority.
• MI - consistency


  stability in the expressed position over time and agreement among different members of the minority.

  
  

  Nemeth, 2010; minority is sufficiently confident to maintain position over time and with each other.

  
  

  wood et al, 1994; meta analysis of 94 studies, particularly consistent = particularly influential.
• MI - commitment

  degree to which members of a minority are dedicated to a particular cause. greater commitment greater influence.

  
  

  commitment suggests confidence and courage and joining minority is a greater cost for the individual than staying wiht the majority is.
• MI - flexibility


  a willingness to be flexible and to compromise when expressing a position

  
  

  Mugny, 1982; flexibility more important than rigidity of arguments - negotiate position rather than enforce it. refuse to compromise = dogmatic and narrow-minded, too flexile = inconsistent.