People's opinions can deviate from that of the average group member in two ways. Descriptive deviants diverge from the average group attitude in a direction consistent with the desirable group attitude; prescriptive deviants diverge from the average group attitude in a direction inconsistent with the desirable group attitude. Three studies tested the hypothesis that descriptive deviants are more willing to express their opinions than either nondeviants or prescriptive deviants. Study 1 found that college students reported more comfort in expressing descriptive deviant opinions because descriptive deviance induced feelings of superior conformity (i.e., being "different but good"). Study 2 found that descriptive deviants reported more pride after expressing their opinions, were rated as more proud by an observer, and were more willing to publicize their opinions. Study 3 showed that political bumper stickers with descriptive deviant messages were displayed disproportionately more frequently than were those with prescriptive deviant messages. © 2008 American Psychological Association.
CITATION STYLE
Morrison, K. R., & Miller, D. T. (2008). Distinguishing Between Silent and Vocal Minorities: Not All Deviants Feel Marginal. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 94(5), 871–882. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.94.5.871
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