Factional conflict in groups: How majorities and minorities relate to one another. (September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Levine, John M.
• Other Names: Hogg Michael A. guest-editor.; Abrams Dominic guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Group processes and intergroup relations. Volume 20:Number 5(2017:Sep.)
• Page Start: 644
• Page End: 657
• Publication Date: 2017-09
• Subjects: conformity -- deviance -- dissent -- factional conflict -- innovation -- majority influence -- minority influence -- reaction to deviance; Intergroup relations -- Periodicals; Social groups -- Periodicals; 302.305
• DOI: 10.1177/1368430217702726
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1368-4302

Abstract

Disagreement between numerically larger (majority) and smaller (minority) factions in groups is both common and consequential. For these reasons, there is a long tradition of social psychological interest in the causes and consequences of such disagreement. Early work focused on minority members' movement toward the majority (majority influence) and majority members' (negative) perceptions and evaluations of those who refused to move. Later work focused on similarities and differences between majority influence and its mirror opposite, minority influence, and on majority members' (sometimes relatively positive) perceptions and evaluations of minority members. This paper summarizes current knowledge on these topics and suggests promising avenues for future research.