ABSTRACT
Minority influence is the possible outcome of minority dissent, which occurs when a numerical minority faction in a group or society publicly advocates and pursues beliefs, attitudes, ideas, procedures and policies that go against the “spirit of the times” and challenge the position or perspective assumed by the majority. This chapter reviews several models, and their evidence, about the influence of minority statements on individual beliefs and attitudes. It focuses on the ways minority dissent in groups impacts work group processes and performance, and also reviews research showing that minority dissent can actually promote creative thinking and innovative practices in work groups. To understand minority influence it is useful to consider various types of minorities, as different types of minorities may have different goals and different images. The possible effects of minority dissent on beliefs and attitudes have been studied within the context of three leading theoretical accounts – social impact perspectives, objective consensus approaches, and conversion theory.
