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In the next experiment, the researchers want to know what would happen if the majority of the decision-makers attempted to lead the herd in one direction, while a minority decided to move in the opposite direction. Couzin's computer simulations had shown that, after a period of time, the majority would gain control, probably because there is a natural assumption that any decision made by the majority is more likely to be correct than one made by the minority. Within the 200-person group, two subgroups were created, one composed of 20 people and one of 10, and each subgroup was given opposite instructions. This time, the human herd did not react the way the simulations predicted. As the difference of intention became clear to the group, the round ring stretched itself out into a kind of sausage shape, in which people, inspired by the example of the subgroups, move back and forth between the two targets. It appears that when the two chosen goals lie close enough to each other, members of the herd tried them both to find out which was best.

Sometimes being a herd animal is smart

For example, when we disembark at an unfamiliar airport, we initially have no idea which way to go. However, after the first passen­gers off the plane find the signs to the baggage claim and set off in that direction, the rest simply follow them, assuming that those in front know where they are going. The herd mentality prompts people to believe that anyone with knowledge is qualified to lead the pack.

Sometimes being a herd animal is not so smart

A crowd of people, such as a crowd of martial artists, may be led to believe something by only 5 percent of the crowd. In a martial art school, the “master” directs the crowd and teaches them the methods of the martial art. The “master” does not have to convince the entire group, he or she only needs to convince 5 percent of the group, and then, over time, those five percent will gradually convince the rest of the group. If the teachings are unscientific, illogical, and unreasonable, students with knowledge and independent minds will soon see the “master” and his followers as idiots and frauds, and will leave the school. However, students who stay with the school will be led to believe the teachings of the school, and will become proponents of the false teachings.

People must be careful of the things to which they expose themselves. Churchgoers listen to their pastors without question; to question is to doom oneself to hell for an eternity. College students are taught by “expert” professors to which they have been taught to believe, and, even if they do not believe, they must listen and answer accordingly on tests if they want to pass the course. Even when the professor teaches things they know to be false, they tend to follow the class group and accept what they are told as the truth; after all, the professor is an “expert.”

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