Abstract
This study investigated how minority's behavior might influence others' attitudes and behaviors about AIDS. In the study, 60 undergraduate subjects were presented a 15 minute videotaped stimulus, where the minority (one person) consistently asserted positive opinions toward those infected with the H1V virus, in conflict with the majority (four persons) who consistently asserted negative opinions in the group discussion setting. Furthermore, the minority's negotiation style (flexible or rigid) was manipulated. The results include the following: (1) Three attitude factors; a supportive and/or helping attitude, an avoiding attitude towards both HIV and AIDS patients, and a prejudiced attitude toward AIDS in general, were obtained. (2) The consistently asserted flexible and rigid minority altered the subjects' attitude. (3) The rigid minority was more influential in altering attitudes than the flexible minority. The results suggest that a rigid minority position concurrent with the subjects' attitude may be more influential than a flexible minority.
