Emergence of Polarization and Clustering in Social Groups

这项研究的重点是开发一种计算机辅助模型，以预测人们何时以及如何聚集成群体和两极分化。争论的问题是，在什么条件下，人们会对多数群体或少数群体的劝说尝试表现出敏感或抵制。该模型表明，只需要少量的信息，就可以以很高的精度预测群体态度结构的变化。这项研究如果成功，将大大有助于理解群体影响个人的方式，以及个人影响群体的方式。这些问题是几乎所有社会心理学的基础，因此，这项研究有望在整个领域产生重大影响。本研究对社会研究有一定的理论和应用价值。

This research is focused on the development of a computer assisted model to predict when and how people will cluster into groups and polarize. At issue is the question, under what conditions will people prove susceptible, or resistent, to the persuasive attempts of the majority or minority groups. The model developed in this proposal has shown that with only a small amount of information, changes in group attitude structure can be predicted with a high degree of accuracy. This research, if successful, will assist considerably in understanding the manner in which groups influence individuals, and also the manner in which individuals influence groups. These issues are fundamental to almost all of social psychology, and as such, the research promises to have a great impact throughout the field. This research promises to contribute to both theory and application in social research.