An Informational Influence Perspective on (Non) conformity: Perceived Knowledgeability Increases Expression of Minority Opinions

Kimberly Rios, Matthew H. Goldberg, Rebecca R. Totton

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Two studies tested whether perceived knowledgeability, a metacognitive indicator of attitude strength, predicts expression of minority (but not majority) opinions on social/political issues. In Study 1, the tendency for participants in the minority to be slower to report their opinions than participants in the majority was present among those who felt less knowledgeable in their attitudes toward controversial issues, but not among those who felt more knowledgeable. In Study 2, perceived knowledgeability moderated the relationship between minority opinion status on an issue and willingness to discuss an issue with someone who held the opposite opinion as oneself. In both studies, attitude certainty produced similar effects to perceived knowledgeability. Implications for processes of informational versus normative influence in opinion expression and conformity, as well as for the metacognitive model of attitude strength, are discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)241-260
Number of pages20
JournalCommunication Research
Volume45
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • attitude certainty
  • attitude strength
  • informational influence
  • knowledgeability
  • minority opinions
  • normative influence

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Communication
  • Language and Linguistics
  • Linguistics and Language

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