A minority view can look like the majority when its holders are well connected, distorting perceived norms.
Lerman, Yan and Wu's 2016 result. If a well-connected minority holds a view, most people's local sample shows it as the majority — so perceived norms can invert actual ones without anyone lying.
In practice
- A team where three well-connected members hold a view finds every member believes it is the majority position, and it is not.
- A neighbourhood group where the loudest ten people oppose a development produces a consultation response that misrepresents the street.