Minority influence and optimal problem solving

An analogous thinking task was used to test Nemeth's Convergent-Divergent t heory of majority and minority influence. Participants read a (base) proble m and one of three solutions (one of which is considered the 'best' solutio n). They then generated solutions to a second (target) problem which shared similar structural features to the first problem. Due to the similarities between problems, the solution given to the fir st problem can be used as a n analogy ill solving the second. In contrast to Nemeth's theory, when the solution to the base problem, was endorsed by a numerical majority there wa s not an increase in analogy-transfer in solving the target problem. Howeve r, in support of Nemeth's theory, when the base solution was supported by a numerical minority then the participants were more likely to generate the 'best' solution to the target problem regardless of which base solution the y were given. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.