Final answer:
Individuals with a minority opinion primarily influence the maintenance of their own viewpoints rather than shifting the majority's perspective or being included in decision-making processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Individuals who hold a minority opinion have the most influence on maintaining their minority opinion. While they might occasionally succeed in convincing others, forming a majority opinion or being included in the decision-making process is significantly more challenging due to the dominant influence of the majority. The majority uses its established power to protect its interests and often works to suppress minority influence. This dynamic is visible in legislative practices, where policies tend to favor the majority, and in judicial situations, where dissenting opinions by justices represent the minority viewpoint but nonetheless contribute to the legal discourse.
Minority opinions, while often overshadowed, can be influential over time. Dissenting opinions in court cases, for example, can become the basis for overturning precedent and changing majority views. This illustrates that while minority opinions may not have immediate influence, they are still an important aspect of the democratic process and legal system, contributing to the evolution of policy and societal norms.