Project description
Why we follow others: decoding social learning
Humans thrive on learning from others, yet the same trait can also facilitate the rapid spread of misinformation online. We still do not fully understand how neural activity gives rise to these large-scale social trends. The ERC-funded SOLAR project aims to bridge this gap by using computer models to link brain activity with group dynamics. By investigating the simple mental rewards that drive our learning from others, the project will explore idea contagion and the evolution of culture. The aim of this research is to provide vital insights to help society manage collective risks, such as the propagation of false information.
Objective
Social learning – learning from the behaviors of others – is key for our success as a species. Ideas and behaviors are transmitted between individuals and across generations via social learning, which gives rise to the evolution of human cultures. Social learning might also fuel modern threats, such as the growing social contagion of misinformation in social networks. Despite the crucial role of social learning across a myriad of human behaviors, surprisingly little is known about the (i) psychological, neural and computational mechanisms of social learning, and (ii) how these mechanisms create societal-level phenomena. The SOLAR project takes on the challenge of developing a new theoretical framework that addresses these issues. The framework will be formalized in novel computational models. The same coherent set of models will be tested on (i) the level of the brain using brain-imaging, (ii) the level of individual behavior, and (iii) the level of the population, using multi-agent simulation and analysis of real-world interaction in social networks.
SOLAR involves three programs that address three fundamental, but as-of-yet unanswered questions about human social learning: (1) What are the mechanisms that produce social learning? (2) Does social learning drive social contagion? (3) How does social learning promote cultural evolution? In contrast to previous accounts, I predict that these seemingly disparate questions can be unified and understood by a coherent set of simpler social reinforcement learning mechanisms. I will test this hypothesis with a unique multi-method approach that bridges the “nano-level” of the brain, via the micro-level of human behavior, to the macro-level of the social group.
SOLAR will shed new light on both fundamental scientific questions about the nature of human social learning, and on pressing social issues, such as how to explain and reduce collective risks due to social contagion (e.g. spreading of misinformation).
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2021-STG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
171 77 STOCKHOLM
Sweden
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.