In one version of the experiment, each person was instructed simply to stay with the group. As Couzin's model predicted, they tended to circle around in a doughnut-shaped flock. In another version, one person was instructed to head for a particular card at the edge of the circle without leaving the group. The players quickly formed little swarms with their leader at the head, moving together to the target.
The scientists then sowed discord by telling two or more people to move to opposite sides of the circle. The other people had to try to stay with the group even as leaders tried to pull it apart.
As Couzin's model predicted, the human swarm made a quick, unconscious decision to follow the largest group of leaders.
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