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Minority influence in Scotland.
For quite some time, I’ve been interested in the dynamic of Scottish politics and the overwhelming influence of the SNP. The main aim of the SNP party has always been to gain independence for Scotland however in 2014, the Scottish people voted against Scottish independence with a 55% majority. Yet despite this, the independence movement has continued to be at the forefront of Scottish politics. In the 2021 Scottish elections, on the back of a manifesto pledge to pursue another independence referendum, the SNP won an overall majority in the Scottish parliament securing Sturgeon’s role as First Minister for a further four years and just recently she has been named as the UK’s most influential woman.
When taking into consideration individual votes for pro independence parties and pro union parties, the data suggests that the country could be at a very close 50/50 split. This is an undeniable improvement on the pro independence 45% in 2014. What I find interesting about the SNP, is that despite a questionable record in Scotland, their independence movement has continued to gather strength. Could psychology explain more about the influence of a minority?
“It is minorities, groups who are excluded from or are on the fringes of society, that are the main engines of social change.” (Moscovci, 1976)
The subject of minority influence was addressed by psychologist Moscovci in a series of experiments involving a perception test where participants were required to name the colours of a series of slides appearing on a screen. The experiment was set up so that a member of the group (the minority) would call out a slide as being a colour different to what it was. The responses from the majority group saw a significant change as a result of the interference by the minority. This change in responses from the majority group continued to increase as the minority remained consistent. (Moscovci et al, 1969)
The importance of consistency is evident in Scotland. Despite the failure of the SNP to win the 2014 referendum they have continued to pursue independence. Their argument for an independent Scotland has certainly remained consistent.
Nemeth and Wachtler (1974) also highlighted the important of confidence within the minority group. I think it would be fair to say that Nicola Sturgeon and…
