A new research study sheds light on a behavior that is consistent among many species – that is, making decisions based upon the actions of others.

Scientists at the University of Leeds believe they may have found why humans flock like sheep and birds, subconsciously following a minority of individuals.

Researchers discovered that it takes a minority of just five per cent to influence a crowd’s direction – and that the other 95 per cent follow without realizing it.

The findings could have major implications for directing the flow of large crowds, in particular in disaster scenarios, where verbal communication may be difficult.

More: http://psychcentral.com/news/2008/02/15 ... /1922.html

I noticed this mentality as a child on the playground. No one would be on the swings until I got on them, then suddenly there was long lines. The same thing happened on the slide and the rings. I learned to be alert to the equipment that had no-line, no-waiting, then I'd run like hell, and be the first on the equipment.

Later, when I grew up there was a different problem. At stores where items were marked off or at book stores where there were limited supplies, I had to pretend I was looking at other stuff, then grab the item when no one was looking and run like hell to the cashier.

You don't have to be rude and grab stuff out of other peoples hands , or steal parking places if you understand "herd" mentality.

From the link:

Professor Krause, with PhD student John Dyer, conducted a series of experiments where groups of people were asked to walk randomly around a large hall. Within the group, a select few received more detailed information about where to walk. Participants were not allowed to communicate with one another but had to stay within arms length of another person.

I'm not clear whether this would work if the volunteer experimental subjects hadn't been told to stay within arm's length of each other.