Abstract
This research is concerned with indirect minority influence, the change of attitudes that are related, but not identical, to the issue under persuasive attack. A message on one of two linked attitudes was developed and attributed to in-group minority or majority sources. Analysis of source and pretest timing (immediate vs. 2 weeks before treatment), thought to affect the accessibility of the linked attitude, revealed no effect on focal beliefs. However, the linked attitudes of those exposed to the minority differed significantly from those exposed to the majority, and were congruous with the conservative thrust of the persuasive appeal. Pretest timing also affected indirect attitudes (both ps < .05). Implications of these indirect attitude results for minority and majority influence were drawn.
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