PSYC1001 Lecture Notes - Lecture 24: Cognitive Dissonance, Stanford Prison Experiment, Field Experiment
2 Jul 2018
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3/05/2018 Social Influence – Obedience and Minority Influence
A factor affecting conformity is group size – groups with 3-5 members have the highest
levels of conformity (35%)
Another factor affecting conformity is unanimity – having one non-conformant can alter the
rest of the group
Minority influence – do individuals always conform to majorities? No
How does an individual or minority influence a groups attitudes or behaviours?
Minority influence – processes of social influence in which a numerical or power minority
can change the attitudes and behaviours of the majority – numerical or power minority
E.g. Rosa Parks, Ghandi
Moscovici, Lage & Naffrechoux (1969) – based on Asch’s paradigm – asked participants to
make judgements out loud
oParticipants were in groups of 6 – control condition (6 naïve participants), minority
conditions (4 real participants and 2 confederates)
oParticipants presented with a blue slide (varying in intensity)
oTask was to name the colour of the slide (aloud)
oControl condition said all 6 slides were blue (correct)
oInconsistent minority condition – confederates said green on 2/3 trials and blue on
1/3 trials
oConsistent minority condition – confederates said green on all trials
oInfluence on real participants: consistent minority 9% of participants are incorrectly
saying slides are green, inconsistent minority had only 2%
oWhen the minority is consistent in their views, they sway the views of others
In any group setting there are bound to be conflicts, sets stage for minority influence to
highlight these conflicts and persuade of their view
Majority Influence Minority Influence
Public compliance or private acceptance Private acceptance
Normative or informational reasons Informational reasons
Not much thought Think arguments through carefully
Direct Indirect
Conversion effect – process by which minority influence brings about internal, private
change in the attitudes of a majority
Consistent minority influence:
oDemonstrate certainty and commitment to a position
oPosition is distinct from the majority norm – disrupts the majority norm
oMajority must perceive that position advocated by minority is not out of self-interest
oPerception that minority members freely choose their position and express it freely
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
A factor affecting conformity is group size groups with 3-5 members have the highest levels of conformity (35%) Another factor affecting conformity is unanimity having one non-conformant can alter the rest of the group. Minority influence processes of social influence in which a numerical or power minority can change the attitudes and behaviours of the majority numerical or power minority. In any group setting there are bound to be conflicts, sets stage for minority influence to highlight these conflicts and persuade of their view. Conversion effect process by which minority influence brings about internal, private change in the attitudes of a majority. Social influence obedience and minority influence: draws attention to an alternative position which is advocated by the minority members highlights that the only solution to a conflict is the adoption of the minority"s position. Deliver the next higher level of shock .
