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When it came to innovation across the fishing-net

When it came to innovation across the fishing-net and firework groups, the connectedness of the firework groups allowed members to come to a good solution quickly. However, they were not the best solutions. Interestingly, the slower information spread in the fishing-net groups allowed members to be exposed to more innovative solutions. Because the fishing-net networks were less efficient for quick information spread, they became more efficient for innovation and exploration.

#innovation #exploration #datascience #sociology #technology #informationspread #groupdynamics

In my last post, I introduced the “Netflix Prize

In my last post, I introduced the “Netflix Prize” story; how data scientists worldwide were challenged to create a prediction algorithm for Netflix. A colleague and I were intrigued by this idea, so we set up our own experiment. We tasked global data scientists with creating a predictive model to determine product sale success, but this time we used two different group structures. The ‘firework’ structure allowed group members visibility and connection to all others. The ‘fishing-net’ structure allowed group members to only be connected to a few other members close in proximity. So, how did the groups compare? Which structure do you think would be more successful?

#sociology #datascience #sociologyintech #groupdynamics #networkdynamics

In 2006, Netflix opened a competition called "The

In 2006, Netflix opened a competition called "The Netflix Prize'' to the public to see who could create the best collaborative filtering algorithm to predict user ratings. My graduate student, Devon Brackbill, and I liked the idea so much that we built our own competition for data scientists. Then we used it to experiment on how changing the networks among teams of problem-solvers could improve their performance. It's a testament to the power of collective problem-solving and the network dynamics that govern the interplay between technology and sociology. 🚀🔍

#Netflix #TheNetflixPrize #sociology #collectiveintelligence #technology #datascience

My most recent publication, "Experimental evidence

My most recent publication, "Experimental evidence for structured information–sharing networks reducing medical errors", was highlighted in the University of Pennsylvania publication, Penn Today. Find the article at penntoday.upenn.edu. Here's to the power of curiosity and its potential to shape a brighter tomorrow!

#PennToday #article #publication #news #newpublication #medicalbias #sociology

I have been discussing in my last few posts how th

I have been discussing in my last few posts how the topic of social norms can span several different disciplines. From a psychological perspective, social norms can determine behavior and biases of individuals. At a philosophical level, the implicit and automatic nature of some social norms can raise questions about rationality and free will. There is still so much to explore in these realms!

#sociology #philosophy #psychology #socialnorms #education

Not only do social norms help us overcome coordina

Not only do social norms help us overcome coordination dilemmas, they serve a larger purpose in helping us all navigate daily life. Whether you are deciding what to wear to a job interview or something more automatic like where to stand in an elevator, we rely on social norms to govern much of our behavior. In sociology, we work to uncover the mechanisms behind the more “automatic” social norms to better understand how they are adopted, abandoned, and transformed. Through this understanding, we can learn more about profound social norms such as social movements and revolutions.

#quote #philosophy #davidlewis #socialnorms #behavioraldrivers #behavior #sociology

In my last post, I talked about the coordination d

In my last post, I talked about the coordination dilemma caused by switching sides of the road. To avoid these dilemmas, social norms are adopted to give us a better sense of how others are going to behave (or at least, how they should). Most of us have been in situations on the road where another driver did not behave how we expected them to. It often is very disorienting and frustrating! Social norms establish baselines and remove the ambiguity of a coordination dilemma.

#coordinationdilemma #sweden #socialnorms #change #sociology

You may have heard about the historical event of "

You may have heard about the historical event of "H-Day'' in Sweden, where the roads were switched - overnight! - from driving from the left to the right. Despite a generally successful transition, many recounted the day as one of confusion and chaos. Typically, we drive on one side of the road because we know oncoming cars will be on the other side, but when you cannot reliably anticipate what others will do, it causes a coordination dilemma. A coordination dilemma is a challenge in coordinating actions with others to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome. In these dilemmas, the difficulty lies in making choices that align with the preferences and actions of others, rather than conflicting with them. To overcome this, social norms are required. I will be discussing more about this in future posts, and in my book, Change. (bit.ly/getchangebook)

#coordinationdilemma #sweden #socialnorms #change #sociology

Widely accepted medical procedures once began as a

Widely accepted medical procedures once began as a physician’s idea. But, in the case of German cardiologist Werner Forssman the demonstration of his idea for a catheter was not enough for it to be accepted by the medical community. After a courageous successful procedure Forssman was met with resentment from his peers and dismissed from his position. Why? Because, as I discuss in my book (bit.ly/getchangebook), his catheter invention had violated the social norms in the medical community for how to test new procedures. But, his procedure nevertheless caught on and cardiac catheterization became one of the most standard procedures in the practice. It took 30 years, but he ultimately won the Nobel prize for his work. Even in medicine, a seemingly objective and empirical field, is subject to the influence of social norms.

#wernerforssman #medicalbreakthroughs #medical #history #sociology #change

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