Minority Influence

Minority influence:

Moscovici (1969) pps had to identify blue and green slides. Groups where confederates gave green consistently had pps join in 8% more than groups where they answered normally

Consistency:

When the minority groups keep the same beliefs over time

Synchronic consistency:

When all the members agree and say the same thing.

Diachronic consistency

When the minority say the same thing over a long period of time.

Commitment:

When the minority group show dedication to their cause. Showing extreme commitment to your cause leads to more people listening (augmentation principle).

Flexibility:

When the minority show some form of accepting others ideas because if you are to rigid you could be seen as counter productive

Snowball effect:

When the majority view has been converted to the minority view. The more this happens the faster the rate of conversion. Gradually the minority has become the majority.

Artificial tasks

Moscovici and Asch’s studies were done with tasks that were very artificial like looking at a line and the colour of slides. Giving this low ecological validity.

Good control in studies

Moscovici and Asch’s study were both done in a lab. Therefore reducing the confounding variables on the task. Giving this good internal validity.

Limited real-world application

Normally it is not easy to break majority viewpoints just by the minority being consistent, flexible and committed due to the majority in real life settings being more powerful then the minority. Minorities usually have extreme views because they face hostile opposition. Too simplistic and reductionist.