Final answer:
In Social Studies, a participant should express their views in a meeting even if they are contrary to the majority, as this can contribute to a more representative and reflective decision-making process. the majority rule can fail when multiple options are involved which suggests that minority opinions are valuable in reaching a balanced decision.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question of whether a participant should express views in a meeting if they are clearly contrary to those of the majority deals with the principles of democratic discussion and representation, often explored within Social Studies. While the majority rule is a common method for decision-making, it can indeed fail to produce a single preferred outcome when more than two choices are present. This scenario is known as Condorcet's paradox or the voting paradox, where a society could cycle through preferences without reaching a stable decision because of individual preference orders.
When discussing the majority rule in practice, the famous Asch conformity experiments show that an individual is more likely to speak up against a majority view if they have at least one ally, highlighting the psychological aspects of decision-making in groups. Moreover, in settings where collaborative decisions are essential, such as in tribal meetings or deliberative assemblies, allowing all voices to be heard, even those in the minority, increases the likelihood that the final decision will more closely reflect the collective preferences of the group. In conclusion, participants should feel encouraged to express their views in meetings, regardless of how their views align with the majority.