Minority influence


	Minority influence
	Advantages P = Research evidence demonstrates the importance of consistency. E = Moscovici et al. found a consistent minority view had more impact on other people than an inconsistent one. E = This shows that it is important to be consistent with a minority view, as it makes it more likely it will have an effect on the majority. L = Therefore, consistency is a major factor in minority influence. ... P = Research supports the involvement of internalisation in minority influence. E = Moscovici varied his study, so participants privately wrote down their answers instead. This increased agreement with the minority. E = This shows internalisation occurred but members of the majority had been reluctant to admit their conversion aloud. L = Therefore, people may be influenced by the minority but will not admit it, so it's not apparent to the public. ...	Disadvantages P = Research involves artificial tasks. E = Moscovici's task was identifying the colour of a slide, which is not a way in which the minority would need to influence a majority. E = The findings, therefore, lack external validity, limiting what they tell us about minority influence. L = This means we cannot prove the influence of the minority in real life.
	Evaluation

P = Research evidence demonstrates the importance of consistency.
E = Moscovici et al. found a consistent minority view had more impact on other people than an inconsistent one.
E = This shows that it is important to be consistent with a minority view, as it makes it more likely it will have an effect on the majority.
L = Therefore, consistency is a major factor in minority influence.
...
P = Research supports the involvement of internalisation in minority influence.
E = Moscovici varied his study, so participants privately wrote down their answers instead. This increased agreement with the minority.
E = This shows internalisation occurred but members of the majority had been reluctant to admit their conversion aloud.
L = Therefore, people may be influenced by the minority but will not admit it, so it's not apparent to the public.
...

P = Research involves artificial tasks.
E = Moscovici's task was identifying the colour of a slide, which is not a way in which the minority would need to influence a majority.
E = The findings, therefore, lack external validity, limiting what they tell us about minority influence.
L = This means we cannot prove the influence of the minority in real life.

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