Which principle links high commitment of a minority to increased influence, contributing to a snowball effect?

Which principle links high commitment of a minority to increased influence, contributing to a snowball effect?

• A. Augmentation principle
• B. Foot-in-the-door
• C. Reciprocity
• D. Social proof

Answer: (A)

The augmentation principle explains why a highly committed minority can gain more influence and spark a snowball effect. When a small group stays firm and visibly willing to take risks for its position, their stance appears more credible and worthwhile to the majority. That sense of commitment makes people rethink their own views and gradually align with the minority, amplifying its impact beyond its numbers. The other options describe different influence dynamics: foot-in-the-door involves starting with a small request to get a bigger one later; reciprocity is about returning favors; social proof relies on following the crowd. These do not capture how persistent, high-commitment minority advocacy can sway the majority over time.

The augmentation principle explains why a highly committed minority can gain more influence and spark a snowball effect. When a small group stays firm and visibly willing to take risks for its position, their stance appears more credible and worthwhile to the majority. That sense of commitment makes people rethink their own views and gradually align with the minority, amplifying its impact beyond its numbers.

The other options describe different influence dynamics: foot-in-the-door involves starting with a small request to get a bigger one later; reciprocity is about returning favors; social proof relies on following the crowd. These do not capture how persistent, high-commitment minority advocacy can sway the majority over time.