An investigator conducts a study with 16 administrative staff members to research authority bias and peer pressure in workplace hierarchies. The researcher randomly assigns the participants to two groups, distributing Blue and Yellow lanyards. The Blue group is told they scored in the top 5% of a leadership assessment and is given comfortable leather chairs and premium snacks. The Yellow group is told their profiles show a "low capacity for self-direction" and they are seated on metal folding chairs under dim lighting. During a practice task, when a Yellow group participant makes a minor formatting error, the researcher publicly scolds them, stating: "This is exactly the sub-standard output we expect from Yellow-grade personnel."

During the session, several Yellow group participants become visibly embarrassed, one begins to hyperventilate, and another asks to withdraw from the seminar. The researcher responds: "The protocol requires all clerical personnel to remain to avoid invalidating the department's data." Even after the study concludes, several Blue group participants refuse to share a lift with Yellow group participants, with one commenting, "We shouldn't associate with underperformers who drag down our department's bonuses."