Summary Moscovici and others argue that minorities can influence majorities by consistently and resolutely maintaining a divergent position, thereby arousing conflict and uncertainty among the majority members. The present study compared the relative effectiveness of minorities of sizes one and two, as well as minorities of one which gain a convert. In addition, the relative effectiveness of male and female minorities was investigated. College students (N = 200) deliberated upon two civil cases in order to determine the size of compensation awards. Confederates argued for divergent positions. A minority of one was found to be less effective than either a minority of two or a minority of one who gained a convert (with the latter two not differing). Evaluations of minorities differed as a function of both size and sex.
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Arbuthnot et al. (1982) studied this question.
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