Fascinating – in a large group or collective, a minority (even a handful or, in human populations, perhaps only one) with strong preferences can have more influence than a majority with somewhat weaker preferences. So, those who shout loudest can have an undemocratically large influence, leading to collective decisions not favoured by the majority. However, when you introduce a number of individuals without any particular preference in the first place, balance is restored. This study first proves that with a simple computer model then demonstrates it in an experiment with schooling fish.
Address of the bookmark: http://www.sciencemag.org/content/334/6062/1578.full?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pulsenews
