Assessing the role of network effects in propagation phenomena in real world networks

Abstract

Despite the growing evidence that interpersonal and social dynamics play a major role in the formation of beliefs, feelings and behaviors, studies on dynamic systems seldom mention the role of social networks in shaping MMs and thus in affecting systems behavior. The general purpose of this chapter is to contribute to bridge that gap by presenting a number of structural properties of social networks that can influence the propagation of ideas, beliefs and behaviors that shape mental models. Specifically it aims at three goals: (a) to show how to identify different types of social networks, (b) to discuss how these different structures can either promote or hinder the adaptation of mental models in problematic systems, and (c) to discuss some basic strategies to fix inadequate mental models in different types of networks.