Minority Influence -A-Level Psychology

-Is a form of social influence whereby a minority of people persuade others to adopt their beliefs and behaviours. This can lead to internalisation .

-this is distinct from conformity(where the majority do the influencing)

Factors affecting minority influence:

Consistency

The consistency in the minorities views increases the amount of interest from other people.Such consistency make people rethink their own views as they may believe that they may have a point if they keep repeating it

Commitment

Augmentation principle

Flexibility

Nemeth (1986) consistency alone can be seen as dogmatic.

Members of the minority need to be prepared to adapt their point of view and accept reasonable and valid counter-arguments.

Moscovivi et al(1969) explored minority influence in a study for a group of 6 people with asked to view a set of 36 blue coloured slides which varied in intensity. They then had to state whether the slides were blue or green. Each group had two confederates who said that the slides were green on 2/3 of the trials.Participants gave the same wrong answer on 8.42% of trials,32% gave the same answer as the minority on at least one trial.In a control group,the colour perceived was wrong on 0.25% of trials.For the experimental group, 1.25% of the participants’ answers were green when the confederates gave inconsistent answers.Moscovici’s experiment suggests that minorities can influence majorities.However, it also indicates that this influence is much more effective when the minority are consistent in their responses.

The process of change:

When you hear something new you are more likely to think about it ,this can lead to deeper processing.

Snowball effect-over time ,increasing number of people join the minority view from the majority view.Eventually the minority view becomes the majority view and change has occurred.

Evaluation:

Research support for consistency-Moscovici demonstrated that when the minority are consistent in their responses they can influence the majority.When the minority gave inconsistent answers in the Moscovici Study, they were generally ignored by the majority.

Research support for internalisation-People may be reluctant to admit their ‘conversion’ publically. Moscovici found higher agreement with the minority when pps wrote down their responses. This shows internalisation took place.

→ What is minority influence?

Minority influence is a phenomenon in which a small group of people persuade a larger group to adopt their beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors.

→ What are the two types of minority influence?

The two types of minority influence are conversion and compliance. Conversion involves the majority genuinely accepting the minority’s viewpoint, while compliance involves the majority publicly conforming to the minority’s viewpoint without necessarily changing their private beliefs.

→ What are some factors that can increase minority influence?

Some factors that can increase minority influence include consistency, confidence, and flexibility. Consistency means that the minority presents a consistent message over time. Confidence means that the minority is confident in their beliefs and communicates them clearly. Flexibility means that the minority is open to compromise and negotiation.

→ What is the difference between minority influence and majority influence?

Majority influence is when a larger group of people influence a smaller group, while minority influence is when a smaller group of people influence a larger group.

→ What is social change?

Social change refers to the transformation of society over time, whether through technological advancements, political movements, or cultural shifts.

→ How does minority influence contribute to social change?

Minority influence can contribute to social change by challenging existing norms and beliefs, introducing new perspectives, and promoting diversity and inclusivity.

→ What is the role of social identity in minority influence?

Social identity refers to the part of an individual’s self-concept that is derived from their membership in a particular group. Social identity can influence how individuals respond to minority influence, as they may be more likely to resist the influence of a minority group that is seen as different or threatening.

→ How can minority influence be applied in real-world situations?

Minority influence can be applied in a variety of real-world situations, such as promoting social justice and equality, advocating for environmental sustainability, and advancing scientific research and innovation. By leveraging the power of minority influence, individuals and groups can effect positive change in their communities and beyond.

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