Majority-minority relations in a changing context

SHINOBU KITAYAMA

doi:10.4992/psycholres1954.25.164

SHINOBU KITAYAMA

Author information

Keywords: majority-minority, social influence, attitudes, intergroup relations, group decision making

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

1983 Volume 25 Issue 3 Pages 164-169

DOI https://doi.org/10.4992/psycholres1954.25.164

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Published: November 30, 1983 Received: October 25, 1982 Available on J-STAGE: February 24, 2009 Accepted: May 14, 1983 Advance online publication: - Revised: -
Correction information
Date of correction: February 24, 2009 Reason for correction: - Correction: AUTHOR Details: Wrong : SHINOBU KITAYAMA¹⁾²⁾
Right : SHINOBU KITAYAMA¹⁾

Date of correction: February 24, 2009 Reason for correction: - Correction: AFFILIATION Details: Wrong :
1) Kyoto University
2) The University of Michigan.

Right :
1) Kyoto University

Date of correction: February 24, 2009 Reason for correction: - Correction: CITATION Details: Wrong : Abelson, R. 1981 Psychological status of the script concept. American Psychologist, 36, 715-729.
Bower, G. H. 1981 Mood and memory. American Psychologist, 36, 129-148.
Clark, M. S., & Isen, A. M. 1982 Toward understanding the relationship between feeling states and social behavior. In A. M. Isen & A. H. Hastorf (Eds.), Cognitive social psychology. New York: Elsevier/North-Holland. Pp. 73-104.
Crowder, R. G. 1976 Principles of learning and memory. Hillsdale, N. J.: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Ferguson, C. K., & Kelley, H. H. 1964 Significant factors in overevaluation of own group's product. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 69, 223-228.
Festinger, L. 1954 A theory of social comparison processes. Human Relations, 7, 114-140.
Kitayama, S. 1981 Effects of intergroup relations upon status of a minority in a group. Japanese Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 21, 429-448. (In Japanese with English summary)
Kitayama, S. In press The influence of a minority within a group. Japanese Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 23.
Langer, E. J. 1978 Rethinking the role of thought in social interaction. In J. H. Harvey, W. J. Ickes, & R. F. Kidd (Eds.), New directions in attribution research. Vol. 2. Hillsdale, N. J.: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Pp. 35-58.
Markus, H. 1977 Self-schemata and processing of information about self. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 35, 63-78.
Medow, H., & Zander, A. 1965 Aspirations for the group chosen by central and peripheral members. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1, 224-228.
Moscovici, S. 1976 Social influence and social change. New York: Acadetic Press.
Moscovici, S., & Faucheux, C. 1972 Social influence, conformity bias and the study of active minorities. In L. Berkowitz, (Ed.), Advances in experimental social psychology. Vol. 7. New York: Academic Press. Pp. 149-201.
Nagata, Y. 1980 Status as a determinant of conformity to and deviation from the group norm. Japanese Journal of Psychology, 51, 152-159. (In Japanese with English Summary)
Nemeth, C. 1979 The role of an active minority in intergroup relations. In W. Austin & S. Worchel (Eds.), The social psychology of intergroup relations. Belmont, CA.: Brooks/Cole. Pp. 225-236.
Nisbett, R. E., & Wilson, T. D. 1977 Telling more than We can know: Verbal reports on mental processes. Psychological Review, 84, 231-259.
Schachter, S. 1951 Deviation, rejection, and communication. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 46, 190-208.
Tajfel, H. 1978 Differentiation between social groups. New York: Academic Press.
Tajfel, H., & Turner, J. 1979 An integrated theory of intergroup conflict. In W. Austin & S. Worchel (Eds.), The social phychology of intergroup relations. Belmont, CA.: Brooks/Cole. Pp. 33-48.
Walster, E. 1965 The effect of self-esteem on romantic liking. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 1, 184-197.
Zajonc, R. B. 1980 Feeling and thinking: Preferences need no inferences. American Psychologist, 35, 151-175.
Zander, A., & Forward, J. 1968 Position in group, achievement motivation, and group aspiration. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 8, 282-288.
Zander, A., Stotland, E., & Wolfe, D. 1960 Unity of group, identification with group, and self-esteem of members. Journal of Personality, 28, 463-478.

Right : Abelson, R. 1981 Psychological status of the script concept. American Psychologist, 36, 715-729.
Bower, G. H. 1981 Mood and memory. American Psychologist, 36, 129-148.
Clark, M. S., & Isen, A. M. 1982 Toward understanding the relationship between feeling states and social behavior. In A. M. Isen & A. H. Hastorf (Eds.), Cognitive social psychology. New York: Elsevier/North-Holland. Pp.73-104.
Crowder, R. G. 1976 Principles of learning and memory. Hillsdale, N. J.: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Ferguson, C, K., & Kelley, H. H. 1964 Significant factors in overevaluation of own group's product. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 69, 223-228.
Festinger, L. 1954 A theory of social comparison processes. Human Relations, 7, 114-140.
Kitayama, S. 1981 Effects of intergroup relations upon status of a minority in a group. Japanese Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 21, 429-448.(In Japanese with English summary)
Kitayama, S. In press The influence of a minority within a group. Japanese Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 23.
Langer, E. J. 1978 Rethinking the role of thought in social interaction, In J. H. Harvey, W.J. Ickes, & R. F. Kidd (Eds.), New directions in attribution research. Vol.2. Hillsdale, N. J.: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Pp.35-58.
Markus, H. 1977 Self-schemata and processing of information about self. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 35, 63-78.
Medow, H., & Zander, A. 1965 Aspirations for the group chosen by central and peripheral members. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1, 224-228.
Moscovici, S. 1976 Social influence and social chcnge. New York: Academic Press.
Moscovici, S., & Faucheux, C. 1972 Social influence, conformity bias and the study of active minorities. In L. Berkowitz, (Ed.), Adeances in experimental social psychology. Vol.7. New York: Academic Press. Pp.149-201.
Nagata, Y. 1980 Status as a determinant of conformity to and deviation from the group norm. Japanese Journal of Psychology, 51, 152-159.(In Japanese with English Summary)
Nemeth, C. 1979 The role of an active minority in intergroup relations. In W. Austin & S. Worchel (Eds.), The social psychology of intergroup relations. Belmont, CA.: Brooks/Cole. Pp.225-236.
Nisbett, R. E., & Wilson, T. D. 1977 Telling more than we can know: Verbal reports on mental processes. Psychological Review, 84, 231-259.
Schachter, S. 1951 Deviation, rejection, and communication. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 46, 190-208.
Tajfel, H. 1978 Differentiation between social groups. New York: Academic Press.
Tajfel, H., & Turner, J. 1979 An integrated theory of intergroup conflict. In W. Austin & S. Worchel (Eds.), The social phychology of intergroup relations. Belmont, CA.: Brooks/Cole. Pp.33-48.
Walster, E. 1965 The effect of self-esteem on romantic liking. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 1, 184-197.
Zajonc, R. B. 1980 Feeling and thinking: Pre-ferences need no inferences. American Psychologist, 35, 151-175.
Zander, A., & Forward, J. 1968 Position in group, achievement motivation, and group aspiration. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 8, 282-288.
Zander, A., Stotland, E., & Wolfe, D. 1960 Unity of group, identification with group, and self-esteem of members. Journal of Personality, 28, 463-478.

Date of correction: February 24, 2009 Reason for correction: - Correction: PDF FILE Details: -

Date of correction: February 24, 2009 Reason for correction: - Correction: CITATION Details: Wrong : Abelson, R. 1981 Psychological status of the script concept. American Psychologist, 36, 715-729.
Bower, G. H. 1981 Mood and memory. American Psychologist, 36, 129-148.
Clark, M. S., & Isen, A. M. 1982 Toward understanding the relationship between feeling states and social behavior. In A. M. Isen & A. H. Hastorf (Eds.), Cognitive social psychology. New York: Elsevier/North-Holland. Pp.73-104.
Crowder, R. G. 1976 Principles of learning and memory. Hillsdale, N. J.: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Ferguson, C, K., & Kelley, H. H. 1964 Significant factors in overevaluation of own group's product. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 69, 223-228.
Festinger, L. 1954 A theory of social comparison processes. Human Relations, 7, 114-140.
Kitayama, S. 1981 Effects of intergroup relations upon status of a minority in a group. Japanese Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 21, 429-448.(In Japanese with English summary)
Kitayama, S. In press The influence of a minority within a group. Japanese Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 23.
Langer, E. J. 1978 Rethinking the role of thought in social interaction, In J. H. Harvey, W.J. Ickes, & R. F. Kidd (Eds.), New directions in attribution research. Vol.2. Hillsdale, N. J.: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Pp.35-58.
Markus, H. 1977 Self-schemata and processing of information about self. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 35, 63-78.
Medow, H., & Zander, A. 1965 Aspirations for the group chosen by central and peripheral members. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1, 224-228.
Moscovici, S. 1976 Social influence and social chcnge. New York: Academic Press.
Moscovici, S., & Faucheux, C. 1972 Social influence, conformity bias and the study of active minorities. In L. Berkowitz, (Ed.), Adeances in experimental social psychology. Vol.7. New York: Academic Press. Pp.149-201.
Nagata, Y. 1980 Status as a determinant of conformity to and deviation from the group norm. Japanese Journal of Psychology, 51, 152-159.(In Japanese with English Summary)
Nemeth, C. 1979 The role of an active minority in intergroup relations. In W. Austin & S. Worchel (Eds.), The social psychology of intergroup relations. Belmont, CA.: Brooks/Cole. Pp.225-236.
Nisbett, R. E., & Wilson, T. D. 1977 Telling more than we can know: Verbal reports on mental processes. Psychological Review, 84, 231-259.
Schachter, S. 1951 Deviation, rejection, and communication. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 46, 190-208.
Tajfel, H. 1978 Differentiation between social groups. New York: Academic Press.
Tajfel, H., & Turner, J. 1979 An integrated theory of intergroup conflict. In W. Austin & S. Worchel (Eds.), The social phychology of intergroup relations. Belmont, CA.: Brooks/Cole. Pp.33-48.
Walster, E. 1965 The effect of self-esteem on romantic liking. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 1, 184-197.
Zajonc, R. B. 1980 Feeling and thinking: Pre-ferences need no inferences. American Psychologist, 35, 151-175.
Zander, A., & Forward, J. 1968 Position in group, achievement motivation, and group aspiration. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 8, 282-288.
Zander, A., Stotland, E., & Wolfe, D. 1960 Unity of group, identification with group, and self-esteem of members. Journal of Personality, 28, 463-478.

Right : Abelson, R. 1981 Psychological status of the script concept. American Psychologist, 36, 715-729.
Bower, G. H. 1981 Mood and memory. American Psychologist, 36, 129-148.
Clark, M. S., & Isen, A. M. 1982 Toward understanding the relationship between feeling states and social behavior. In A. M. Isen & A. H. Hastorf (Eds.), Cognitive social psychology. New York: Elsevier/North-Holland. Pp.73-104.
Crowder, R. G. 1976 Principles of learning and memory. Hillsdale, N. J.: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Ferguson, C, K., & Kelley, H. H. 1964 Significant factors in overevaluation of own group's product. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 69, 223-228.
Festinger, L. 1954 A theory of social comparison processes. Human Relations, 7, 114-140.
Kitayama, S. 1981 Effects of intergroup relations upon status of a minority in a group. Japanese Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 21, 429-448.(In Japanese with English summary)
Kitayama, S. In press The influence of a minority within a group. Japanese Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 23.
Langer, E. J. 1978 Rethinking the role of thought in social interaction, In J. H. Harvey, W.J. Ickes, & R. F. Kidd (Eds.), New directions in attribution research. Vol.2. Hillsdale, N.J.: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Pp.35-58.
Markus, H. 1977 Self-schemata and processing of information about self. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 35, 63-78.
Medow, H., & Zander, A. 1965 Aspirations for the group chosen by central and peripheral members. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1, 224-228.
Moscovici, S. 1976 Social influence and social change. New York: Academic Press.
Moscovici, S., & Faucheux, C. 1972 Social influence, conformity bias and the study of active minorities. In L. Berkowitz,(Ed.), Adeances in experimental social psychology. Vol.7. New York: Academic Press. Pp. 149-201.
Nagata, Y. 1980 Status as a determinant of conformity to and deviation from the group norm. Japanese Journal of Psychology, 51, 152-159.(In Japanese with English Summary)
Nemeth, C. 1979 The role of an active minority in intergroup relations. In W. Austin & S. Worchel (Eds.), The social psychology of intergroup relations. Belmont, CA.: Brooks/Cole. Pp.225-236.
Nisbett, R. E., & Wilson, T. D. 1977 Telling more than we can know: Verbal reports on mental processes. Psychological Review, 84, 231-259.
Schachter, S. 1951 Deviation, rejection, and communication. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 46, 190-208.
Tajfel, H. 1978 Differentiation between social groups. New York: Academic Press.
Tajfel, H., & Turner, J. 1979 An integrated theory of intergroup conflict. In W. Austin & S. Worchel (Eds.), The social phychology of intergroup relations. Belmont, CA.: Brooks/Cole. Pp.33-48.
Walster, E. 1965 The effect of self-esteem on romantic liking. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 1, 184-197.
Zajonc, R. B. 1980 Feeling and thinking: Preferences need no inferences. American Psychologist, 35, 151-175.
Zander, A., & Forward, J. 1968 Position in group, achievement motivation, and group aspiration. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 8, 282-288.
Zander, A., Stotland, E., & Wolfe, D. 1960 Unity of group, identification with group, and self-esteem of members. Journal of Personality, 28, 463-478.

Abstract

In the present article it is proposed that a person's readiness to acknowledge other views varies as an inverse function of his expectancy concerning the extent to which he can maintain favorable self-evaluation by continuously standing for his own view. Based on this idea, influence processes between a majority and a minority in a group discussion are explored. A summary of experimental data is presented, showing that: 1) A majority member, but not a minority member, is more likely to insist on his own view when he previously failed in an important, but irrelevant task than when he succeeded in it. 2) A minority member becomes influential when majority members try to differentiate their group from another group. Some problems posed by the present research are discussed.

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