Influence of a Consistent Minority on the Responses of a Majority in a Color Perception Task

Abstract

Most of the studies on social influence have dealt with conformity, social pressure exercised by majority groups, and have used dependency as the source of influence. This study concerns innovation, social pressure exercized by a minority, and tries at the same time to prove that behavioral style is a general source of influence. An objectively blue stimulus is used which two subjects (stooges) out of six call green in the experimental groups. When the behavior of the minority is consistent, the number of green replies in the experimental groups is significantly higher than in the control group. This change in answer is not only a verbal agreement but corresponds to a change in their perception code, as shown by a color discrimination test. When the minority's behavior is not consistent, its impact on the majority is minimal. Therefore it is the consistent behavioral style of minorities that insures the adoption of their point of view.