Flouri, Eirini, and Yiannis Fitsakis “Minority Matters: 12 Angry Men as a Case Study of a Successful Negotiation against the Odds” Negotiation Journal 23 (4), (2007): 449–462 <http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/action/showFullText?submitFullText=Full+Text+HTML&doi=10.1111%2Fj.1571-9979.2007.00156.x>

            In this article the authors study the art of negotiation and use the jury from 12 Angry Men as an example to support their article. The article is mainly based on the work of Serge Moscovici, a social psychologist. Serge Moscovici contends that while a minority will generally try to avoid confrontations by agreeing with the majority it is also possible that a minority can refuse to change his position and become an influential figure in cases where a unanimous decision is needed. The influence of the minority would allow members of the majority to reconsider their view and join the minority. Serge Moscovici contended that five key aspects of minority's influence are his/her consistency, investment, autonomy, rigidity and fairness.
            The above characteristics are evident in juror number eight in 12 Angry Men as he convinces the other eleven jurors to change their position. He showed his consistency by backing and giving evidence to support for his decision to not vote guilty throughout the deliberations. He shows his flexibility by proposing a ballot with him abstaining. He shows that he has autonomy by initially declaring that he is not trying to acquit the defendant, but instead wants a complete discussion of the facts to make the right decision. Juror number eight serves as an example for Serge Moscovici idea that the minority can influence the decision of the majority.