The study of social identity has been at the forefront of social psychology and behavioral research for decades. However, the role of social identity in an increasingly networked society is not well understood. The ubiquitous flow of algorithmized information impacts identity, behavior, and cognition in complex ways. Social media and other information and communications technology (ICT) organizations use personalization algorithms to model a person’s identity, which then influences the kinds of information shared with the person, and the options and resources presented to them in different decision situations (e.g., ads/offers targeted for certain demographics). Thus, social category membership can influence an individual's knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs, which in turn affects how they perceive and interpret events, make decisions, and collaborate with others to solve problems. Such effects have been linked to increased polarization in society, but little is known about the underlying psychological and cognitive processes involved.
This Research Topic invites submissions investigating the dynamic interactions between social identity and cognitive processes such as decision making and problem-solving, in a networked society characterized by intensified information flow. Potential research questions include, but are not limited to:
• What are the reinforcing or conflicting information cycles relating a person’s social identity and how they are classified by others (e.g., by social media companies that regulate information flow)? How do such cycles affect social polarization and the homogeneity of social categories?
• What are the behavioral consequences of social category membership for decision making or problem solving? How does social identity affect collaboration between in-group or out-group members?
• How do individuals reconcile underlying internal cognitive motivations and conflict (e.g., cognitive dissonance) during social identity construction, alignment, or realignment? How do social media policy interventions like fact checking affect how people interpret and make sense of complex, contradictory information?
We welcome theoretical and conceptual work, as well as methodologically rigorous qualitative, quantitative, empirical, or experimental research. Modeling or simulation studies based on psychologically realistic assumptions of behavior and social network dynamics will also be considered. Given the limitations of self-report measures, we encourage authors to support subjective measures with objective data where possible. Analytical studies based on publicly sourced social media data should articulate how the data operationalize or reflect relevant underlying psychological constructs and variables.
The study of social identity has been at the forefront of social psychology and behavioral research for decades. However, the role of social identity in an increasingly networked society is not well understood. The ubiquitous flow of algorithmized information impacts identity, behavior, and cognition in complex ways. Social media and other information and communications technology (ICT) organizations use personalization algorithms to model a person’s identity, which then influences the kinds of information shared with the person, and the options and resources presented to them in different decision situations (e.g., ads/offers targeted for certain demographics). Thus, social category membership can influence an individual's knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs, which in turn affects how they perceive and interpret events, make decisions, and collaborate with others to solve problems. Such effects have been linked to increased polarization in society, but little is known about the underlying psychological and cognitive processes involved.
This Research Topic invites submissions investigating the dynamic interactions between social identity and cognitive processes such as decision making and problem-solving, in a networked society characterized by intensified information flow. Potential research questions include, but are not limited to:
• What are the reinforcing or conflicting information cycles relating a person’s social identity and how they are classified by others (e.g., by social media companies that regulate information flow)? How do such cycles affect social polarization and the homogeneity of social categories?
• What are the behavioral consequences of social category membership for decision making or problem solving? How does social identity affect collaboration between in-group or out-group members?
• How do individuals reconcile underlying internal cognitive motivations and conflict (e.g., cognitive dissonance) during social identity construction, alignment, or realignment? How do social media policy interventions like fact checking affect how people interpret and make sense of complex, contradictory information?
We welcome theoretical and conceptual work, as well as methodologically rigorous qualitative, quantitative, empirical, or experimental research. Modeling or simulation studies based on psychologically realistic assumptions of behavior and social network dynamics will also be considered. Given the limitations of self-report measures, we encourage authors to support subjective measures with objective data where possible. Analytical studies based on publicly sourced social media data should articulate how the data operationalize or reflect relevant underlying psychological constructs and variables.
