An experimental study on deviation behavior which promotes group outcome

Abstract

A deviation behavior was examined in this study under the conditions where deviation behavior promoted group outcome.A hypothesis was that group member would deviate from other members of group (majority) when deviation behavior promoted group outcome.Experiment 1 (Ss were 50 female college students), there was no significant difference in the score of deviation behavior between promotive condition (group reward) and unpromotive condition (personal reward).Experiment 2 (Ss were 52 female college students), significant difference in the predicted direction was indicated between the personal reward condition and the condition where the profit of deviation behavior was given to the superior group to which individuals belonged (class reward).Deviation and conformity behaviors were discussed in the aspects of dissonance, justification, and innovative behavior.