Overview
This course explores how physics models can be used to understand the emergence of higher-level behaviors from lower-level behaviors within and between individuals. The learning outcomes include understanding the role of entropy in the formation of beliefs, statistical approaches to studying ambivalence and cognitive dissonance, and the social consequences of minimizing internal conflict. The course teaches skills such as applying physics models to analyze attitudes and beliefs, utilizing statistical mechanics to study opinion formation, and understanding the dynamics of social interactions. The teaching method involves engaging conversations with researchers and exploring related papers and talks. The intended audience for this course includes individuals interested in the intersection of physics, psychology, and social dynamics.
Syllabus
Intro
Welcome
Backstory
Definition of Attitudes
Attitude Entropy
Icing Model
Wisdom
Social Category Boundaries
Why Persuasion Backfires
Why is this an epidemic
Awkward realities
Cognitive dissonance
A unifying framework
The social contract
The model comparison
Personal narratives
Taught by
Santa Fe Institute