Which principle explains that minority members may engage in extreme activities to draw attention to their cause, thereby increasing impact?

Which principle explains that minority members may engage in extreme activities to draw attention to their cause, thereby increasing impact?

• A. Consistency
• B. Flexibility
• C. Augmentation principle
• D. Snowball effect

Answer: (C)

Minority influence can be stronger when the minority demonstrates greater commitment through extreme actions, which is the augmentation principle. When a minority escalates its activities—taking bolder, more visible steps or incurring higher costs—the majority sees a deeper level of dedication to the cause. This signals that the issue is important and worth reconsidering, prompting the majority to re-evaluate their own views and potentially shift attitudes. The dramatic actions grab attention and lend legitimacy to the minority’s position, increasing its persuasive impact. Consistency helps over time but doesn’t by itself explain the boost from escalating actions; flexibility is about adapting tactics, not about signaling extreme commitment. The snowball effect describes a spread of influence as more people adopt a view, not the minority’s deliberate amplification to attract attention.

Minority influence can be stronger when the minority demonstrates greater commitment through extreme actions, which is the augmentation principle. When a minority escalates its activities—taking bolder, more visible steps or incurring higher costs—the majority sees a deeper level of dedication to the cause. This signals that the issue is important and worth reconsidering, prompting the majority to re-evaluate their own views and potentially shift attitudes. The dramatic actions grab attention and lend legitimacy to the minority’s position, increasing its persuasive impact. Consistency helps over time but doesn’t by itself explain the boost from escalating actions; flexibility is about adapting tactics, not about signaling extreme commitment. The snowball effect describes a spread of influence as more people adopt a view, not the minority’s deliberate amplification to attract attention.