Minority Influence

by Yum Yum Mama Team

What is Minority Influence in Psychology?

Minority influence refers to the process where a small group or individual affects the beliefs and behaviours of the larger majority. Unlike majority influence, which relies on conformity, minority influence often leads to internalisation, where people adopt new viewpoints permanently.

How Does Minority Influence Affect Conformity?

Minority influence can challenge majority norms and create social change by:

  1. Encouraging deeper thinking – The majority is forced to reconsider their stance.

  2. Leading to internalisation – Minority views may become widely accepted over time.

  3. Shaping future norms – Many societal changes start as minority viewpoints.

Minority Influence vs. Majority Influence

Minority Influence Majority Influence
Leads to internalisation Leads to compliance
Encourages deeper thinking Relies on social pressure
Can take a long time to occur Often leads to immediate change
Example: Suffragette movement Example: Following fashion trends

Key Factors in Minority Influence

1. Consistency

  • The minority must be consistent in their views over time.

  • Moscovici’s (1969) study found that a consistent minority was more effective in influencing the majority.

2. Commitment

  • Minority groups must demonstrate dedication to their cause.

  • Examples include protests, personal sacrifices, or strong advocacy.

3. Flexibility

  • The minority must be willing to compromise rather than appearing rigid.

  • Nemeth (1986) found that a balance between consistency and flexibility is key to successful minority influence.

Moscovici’s Minority Influence Study

  • Aim: To investigate how a consistent minority affects the majority.

  • Procedure: Participants viewed blue slides but a minority insisted they were green.

  • Findings: When the minority was consistent, 32% of participants conformed at least once.

  • Conclusion: A consistent minority can influence majority views.

Minority Influence Examples

  • Suffragette Movement – A small group of women fought for voting rights, eventually influencing society.

  • Civil Rights Movement – Martin Luther King Jr. and others challenged racial segregation.

  • Environmental Activism – Groups advocating for climate change awareness have influenced policies worldwide.

Minority Influence (16 Marker Exam Question Guide)

A 16-marker essay on minority influence should include: ✅ AO1 (Description) – Define minority influence and explain key research. ✅ AO3 (Evaluation) – Strengths and weaknesses, including research support from Moscovici and Nemeth. ✅ Real-Life Application – Link to historical and contemporary examples.

Download the Social Influence PDF

For an in-depth revision guide covering minority influence, consistency, and exam-style questions, download the Social Influence Digital Interactive Revision Workbook – Yum Yum Mama.

📥 Get the Social Influence Workbook Now!

minority influence

 

Why Choose This Workbook?

✅ Covers all major social influence topics, including minority influence and conformity. ✅ Expert-written with 20+ years of psychology teaching experience. ✅ Interactive learning with live links to model answers. ✅ Designed for AQA A-Level and AP Psychology students. ✅ Instant digital download – Start revising today!

Master Social Influence with Yum Yum Mama – because top marks start with the right resources!

Related Posts

    Back to Education