Normative social influence
Consequences
### Consequences

Lastly, different studies have illustrated the consequences of deviation from a group's influence. In a study by Schachter (1951\), participants were placed in groups and asked to discuss what to do with a juvenile delinquent they had read about. A "deviant" was instructed by the experimenter to take a stand strongly opposing that of the rest of the group and to hold this position in the midst of any arguments from other members. After the conclusion of the discussions, participants chose to reject this deviant the most, considering him the least desirable of the members, and relegating him to the least important tasks. Recent work by Berns et al. (2005\) examined the physiological effects of deviation by using fMRI to scan participants' brains as they completed an object rotation task with other "participants", who were actually confederates. The researchers were interested in examining participants' brain activity when they were under pressure to conform to an incorrect group majority. The amygdala region (which is associated with [negative emotions](/wiki/Negative_affectivity "Negative affectivity")) was activated when participants sought to break off from the influence of the majority; providing support for the point that resisting normative social influence can often lead to negative emotional consequences for individuals.


What happens when individuals are under pressure to conform to an incorrect group majority?