Outline and evaluate research
into minority influence. (16
marks)
A minority's efficacy can be improved by a variety of criteria, such as consistency,
commitment and flexibility. When members of a group have the same beliefs and hold
onto them over time, minority influence is more likely to occur.
In a research on the perception of colour, Moscovici (1969) investigated if a persistent
minority might persuade a majority to respond incorrectly. In groups of six, his sample of
172 female participants was shown 36 slides that were all different colours of blue. Each
slide's colour has to be spoken aloud by the participants. Six people were involved, but
only two were allies. The two confederates said that all 36 slides were green in the
consistent condition; however, in the inconsistent condition, they claimed that 24 of the
slides were green and 12 were blue. According to Moscovici, participants only agreed
on 1.25 percent of trials in the inconsistent condition, compared to 8.2 percent of trials in
the consistent condition.
A biassed sample of 172 American women was selected by Moscovici. Because of this,
we are unable to extrapolate the findings to include other populations, such as male
participants, and we are unable to draw the conclusion that male participants would
react to minority influence similarly. Since Moscovici's research focuses solely on how
female participants conform to a minority influence, it can be criticised as being
gynocentric. Further studies are needed to assess the impact of minority influence on
male participants in order to raise the poor population validity of this experiment
because research frequently indicates that males are less prone than females to
conform.
Moscovici has been criticized for going against ethical standards while conducting his
research. He misled his participants by having them believe they were participating in a
test of colour perception when, in fact, they were in an experiment on minority influence.
Additionally, Moscovici did not receive fully informed consent in light of this. Although it
is generally regarded as unethical to intentionally mislead participants, Moscovici's
Outline and evaluate research into minority influence. (16 marks) 1
into minority influence. (16
marks)
A minority's efficacy can be improved by a variety of criteria, such as consistency,
commitment and flexibility. When members of a group have the same beliefs and hold
onto them over time, minority influence is more likely to occur.
In a research on the perception of colour, Moscovici (1969) investigated if a persistent
minority might persuade a majority to respond incorrectly. In groups of six, his sample of
172 female participants was shown 36 slides that were all different colours of blue. Each
slide's colour has to be spoken aloud by the participants. Six people were involved, but
only two were allies. The two confederates said that all 36 slides were green in the
consistent condition; however, in the inconsistent condition, they claimed that 24 of the
slides were green and 12 were blue. According to Moscovici, participants only agreed
on 1.25 percent of trials in the inconsistent condition, compared to 8.2 percent of trials in
the consistent condition.
A biassed sample of 172 American women was selected by Moscovici. Because of this,
we are unable to extrapolate the findings to include other populations, such as male
participants, and we are unable to draw the conclusion that male participants would
react to minority influence similarly. Since Moscovici's research focuses solely on how
female participants conform to a minority influence, it can be criticised as being
gynocentric. Further studies are needed to assess the impact of minority influence on
male participants in order to raise the poor population validity of this experiment
because research frequently indicates that males are less prone than females to
conform.
Moscovici has been criticized for going against ethical standards while conducting his
research. He misled his participants by having them believe they were participating in a
test of colour perception when, in fact, they were in an experiment on minority influence.
Additionally, Moscovici did not receive fully informed consent in light of this. Although it
is generally regarded as unethical to intentionally mislead participants, Moscovici's
Outline and evaluate research into minority influence. (16 marks) 1
