Mirta Galesic from Complexity Science Hub Vienna and Santa Fe Institute, is holding a seminar on Thursday, November 13
Title: Dynamics of belief networks
Abstract:
Beliefs in individual minds are related and can be represented as networks. The structure and dynamics of these networks can be studied on both individual and collective levels. I will present the related ongoing research in our group. First, I will describe a model of belief dynamics based on the analogy with systems studied in statistical physics (Dalege et al., 2025, Psychological Review). Second, I will describe two extensions of this model, one providing a framework for a unified model of psychological processes involved in belief dynamics, such as ego projection, social influence, authenticity, and conformity (Zimmaro & Olsson, 2025, arXiv:2502.14362); and the other describing a plausible mechanism for link updating in belief networks (Steiglechner et al., in prep). Finally, I will describe two novel paradigms for collecting empirical data about belief networks, one using natural language processing to extract individual and collective belief networks from comments on news sites (Barolo et al., in prep; Ha et al., 2025, arXiv:2504.08152); and the other using LLM-assisted interviewing and a visual interface to elicit self-reported belief networks (Poulsen et al., in prep). Ultimately, these and related efforts should help us understand and adapt our belief networks to ongoing societal challenges from climate change to intergroup conflicts.
Onsite venue: KO301, Kopparhammaren 2, Campus Norrköping
Also available online on Zoom (contact
ZWxpbiAhIGRhaGxzdHJvbSB8IGxpdSAhIHNl for Zoom link).
Also check out other Workshops in Norrköping.
