Prof. Alex 'Sandy' Pentland: "How Social Networks Shape Human Behavior"

Date: 

Monday, November 15, 2010, 11:30am to 1:00pm

Location: 

Maxwell Dworkin 119

CRCS Lunch Seminar

Date: Monday, November 15, 2010
Time: 11:30am – 1:-00pm
Place: Maxwell Dworkin 119

Speaker:  Prof. Alex `Sandy’ Pentland, MIT Human Dynamics Lab

Title:  How Social Networks Shape Human Behavior

Abstract:   We have developed robust models of how social network dynamics shape human behavior.  These models are constructed by use of data collected by my research group’s unique `reality mining’ sensor platforms, which allow us to track the behavior of hundreds of people in great detail and over long periods of time.  The resulting models bring into question traditional ideas about group selection in evolution, the role of trust in society, the nature of social learning, and economic mechanism design.