Conversion theory and simultaneous majority/minority influence: Can reactance offer an alternative explanation?

Anne Maass, Russell D. Clark

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This study tested whether reactance theory can account for private acceptance of a minority opinion under simultaneous majority/minority influence (reactance against majority rather than conversion toward minority). Subjects were either exposed to simultaneous majority /minority influence or to a majority source only. As predicted by conversion theory, subjects moved away from the majority only in private and in the presence of a consistent minority. In the absence of a consistent minority, subjects accepted the majority opinion in private, ruling out reactance as an alternative explanation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)305-309
Number of pages5
JournalEuropean Journal of Social Psychology
Volume16
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1986

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Psychology

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