Faculty Research: Those with minority views may change actions to follow majority
by Jeff Grabmeier for Ohio State News
People who have a minority viewpoint on a controversial topic are more likely to “self-silence” themselves in conversation – and that may lead them to behave against their own beliefs, a new study found.
Researchers found that those who felt they were in the minority didn’t want to elaborate on why they supported their position when they spoke to someone who held the majority opinion.
But even more important, those with the minority viewpoint showed behavior that wasn’t in line with their true opinions after they spoke to those with the opposing view, the study found.
“We found that those with the minority belief didn’t just refrain from speaking up – they conformed their behavior to the majority, which is very consequential,” said Nicole Sintov, co-author of the study and associate professor of behavior, decision making and sustainability at The Ohio State University.
Read more about this study and the implications of self-silencing >>