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FarCenter

(19,429 posts)
Fri Dec 16, 2011, 12:42 AM Dec 2011

At US lab, minnows reveal power of the 'uninformed'

AFP - It might sound fishy, but researchers at Princeton University say minnows make perfect lab rats when it comes to exploring the surprising power of the uninformed in group decision-making.

Golden shiners that would otherwise be dangling at the end of a hook as bait are unlikely but prized collaborators for scientists at the New Jersey campus where Nobel laureates such as Albert Einstein have toiled.

They feature in findings published Thursday in the journal Science that suggest individuals with no strong feelings about a given situation's outcome can dilute the influence of a powerful minority that would otherwise dominate.

In other words, thanks to the mighty minnow, it could be a scientific fact that apolitical individuals, when pressed for a decision, will shun the minority view -- no matter how savvy, shrill or strident that view might be.

http://www.france24.com/en/20111215-us-lab-minnows-reveal-power-uninformed

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FarCenter

(19,429 posts)
3. That is probably the evolutionary basis for the behavior
Fri Dec 16, 2011, 12:55 AM
Dec 2011

Note that it is also the democratic way for the "non-voters" to accept the decision of the "majority", even when the "majority" is only a plurality of eligible voters.

LiberalAndProud

(12,799 posts)
2. Well, at least now we know why we do the things we do.
Fri Dec 16, 2011, 12:51 AM
Dec 2011

"As we keep adding 'uninformed individuals,' eventually 'noise' (confusion) dominates," he said. At that point, information of any kind is no longer shared effectively -- and the whole group starts making decisions randomly.

 

dkf

(37,305 posts)
5. This is kind of scary...it's a primer on how to influence an election.
Fri Dec 16, 2011, 01:08 AM
Dec 2011

On edit: Or maybe the Republicans already know it. You have to think that fox and clear channel are prime movers.

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