What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate how exposure to persistent majority versus minority opinions differentially affects cognitive processes, specifically divergent versus convergent thinking, in individual and group decision-making.

January 1, 1986Psychological Review

Differential contributions of majority and minority influence.

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Authors

CNCharlan NemethCalifornia State University System

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Implication

Experimental investigation reveals divergent cognitive processing in decision makers exposed to minority dissent, suggesting persistent minority views improve problem-solving over majority consensus.

Key Points

To evaluate how exposure to persistent majority versus minority opinions differentially affects cognitive processes, specifically divergent versus convergent thinking, in individual and group decision-making.
Conducted three experimental studies testing the cognitive effects of persistent majority and minority perspectives on premise reexamination and situational awareness.
Integrated experimental findings with theoretical frameworks across social cognition, creativity, and problem-solving domains.
Exposure to persistent minority views stimulated divergent thinking, causing individuals to attend to broader situational aspects and reexamine foundational premises.
Exposure to persistent majority views induced convergent thinking, leading to unreflective public acceptance of consensus positions without deep cognitive engagement.

Cite This Study

Charlan Nemeth (1986) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69f7fee8a66f59c2557a228f https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295x.93.1.23

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Implication

Experimental investigation reveals divergent cognitive processing in decision makers exposed to minority dissent, suggesting persistent minority views improve problem-solving over majority consensus.

Differential contributions of majority and minority influence.

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Differential contributions of majority and minority influence.

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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