Date: Wednesday, 5th November
2025
Venue: D002 (QS Vienna) and
Zoom: https://ceu-edu.zoom.us/j/99083374688?pwd=jPtfRjTKSJGEzwkeeCNXaD0FiqsPzD.1
Meeting ID: 990 8337 4688
Passcode: 359871
Chair: Christophe Heintz
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
analogies that have been used to describe and model belief dynamics, along with their conceptual mileage an baggage (Olsson & Galesic, 2024, TICS). Second, I will describe a model of belief dynamics based on the analogy with systems studied in statistical
physics (Dalege et al., 2025, Psychological Review). Third, 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.
*Anyone not affiliated with CEU wishing to attend in-person in Vienna must RSVP to get access to the lecture hall.
Best regards,
Fanni
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FANNI TAKÁTSY
Lab Manager/Research Coordinator,
Social Mind Center
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CENTRAL EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY
Quellenstrasse 51. | 1100 Vienna, Austria
http://cognitivescience.ceu.edu/
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