Network Dynamics of Social Behavior

  • 4.6
Approx. 5 hours to complete

Course Summary

Learn about network dynamics and how information spreads through social networks in this course. Gain insights into the workings of network structures and how they influence behavior.

Key Learning Points

  • Understand the dynamics of networks and how information flows through them
  • Learn how to analyze and model network structures
  • Explore how network dynamics influence behavior and decision-making

Job Positions & Salaries of people who have taken this course might have

  • Data Scientist
    • USA: $113,000
    • India: ₹1,200,000
    • Spain: €40,000
  • Social Media Analyst
    • USA: $53,000
    • India: ₹450,000
    • Spain: €25,000
  • Marketing Research Analyst
    • USA: $60,000
    • India: ₹500,000
    • Spain: €30,000

Related Topics for further study


Learning Outcomes

  • Understand the principles of network dynamics and how they affect behavior
  • Develop skills in analyzing and modeling network structures
  • Apply network dynamics concepts to real-world situations

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

  • Basic knowledge of statistics
  • Familiarity with programming languages such as Python

Course Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Course Format

  • Online self-paced
  • Video lectures
  • Interactive quizzes

Similar Courses

  • Social Network Analysis
  • Data Science Essentials
  • Applied Data Science

Notable People in This Field

  • Nicholas A. Christakis
  • Duncan Watts

Related Books

Description

How do revolutions emerge without anyone expecting them? How did social norms about same sex marriage change more rapidly than anyone anticipated? Why do some social innovations take off with relative ease, while others struggle for years without spreading? More generally, what are the forces that control the process of social evolution –from the fashions that we wear, to our beliefs about religious tolerance, to our ideas about the process of scientific discovery and the best ways to manage complex research organizations?

Outline

  • Course Introduction and Schelling's Segregation Model
  • 1.0 Course Introduction and Objectives
  • 1.1 The Substantive Problem: Micromotives and Macrobehavior
  • 1.2 What are Agent-Based Models?
  • 1.3 Formal Model of Segregation
  • 1.4 Exploring Schelling's Segregation Model
  • 1.5 How to Download and Use NetLogo
  • 1.6 Using NetLogo: Schelling's Segregation Model
  • Week 1
  • Diffusion in Small Worlds
  • 2.1 Network Science: Mapping a Connected World
  • 2.2 Introduction to Network Science
  • 2.3 Types of Networks: Lattice Graph
  • 2.4 Types of Networks: Random Graph
  • 2.5 Using NetLogo: Properties of the Small World Network
  • 2.6 Using NetLogo: Information Diffusion in Small World Networks
  • 2.7 Conclusions: Life in a Small World
  • Week 2
  • Complex Contagions and the Weakness of Long Ties
  • 3.1 Social Contagions: Beyond Information Diffusion
  • 3.2 From Simple to Complex Contagions
  • 3.3 How to Model Complex Contagions
  • 3.4 Threshold Models in Networks
  • 3.5 Using NetLogo: Complex Contagions in Small World Networks
  • 3.6 Conclusion: The Spread of Behavior in a Complex World
  • Week 3
  • Emperor's Dilemma and the Spread of Unpopular Norms
  • 4.1 The Emperor's Dilemma: Explaining Unpopular Norms
  • 4.2 Components of a Norm: Compliance and Enforcement
  • 4.3 Modeling Compliance and Enforcement
  • 4.4 Using NetLogo: Explaining the Spread of Unpopular Norms
  • 4.5 Falsification and Sufficiency in the Emperor's Dilemma
  • 4.6 Self-Reinforcing Norms: A Cautionary Conclusion
  • Week 4
  • The Spontaneous Emergence of Conventions
  • 5.1 A Startup Problem: The Emergence of Norms
  • 5.2 Conventions and the Challenge of Coordination
  • 5.3 Modelling Pairwise Coordination in Networks
  • 5.4 Using NetLogo: Coordination in Networks
  • 5.5 How do norms emerge? Global Agreement from Peer-to-Peer Interation
  • Optional Reading: Creating Critical Mass
  • Week 5
  • Problem Solving in Networks
  • 6.1 Exploration and Exploitation: Networks of Innovation
  • 6.2 Modeling Complex Problems
  • 6.3 Modeling Problem-Solving in Teams
  • 6.4 Thinking about Models: Problem-Solving in the Real World
  • 6.5 Using NetLogo: Complex Problem Solving in Networks
  • 6.6 Conclusions: The Two Pizza Rule
  • 6.7 Course Conclusions: The Network Dynamics of Social Behavior
  • Week 6

Summary of User Reviews

Discover the intricacies of Network Dynamics through this comprehensive course on Coursera. Students have raved about the course content and the expertise of the instructors. One key aspect that users loved was the hands-on approach to learning.

Pros from User Reviews

  • In-depth content
  • Expert instructors
  • Hands-on approach to learning
  • Great for beginners
  • Engaging lectures

Cons from User Reviews

  • Some users found the course material to be too technical
  • Lengthy assignments can be time-consuming
  • Limited student interaction with instructors
  • No certificate of completion offered for free version
  • Some users experienced technical difficulties with the platform
English
Available now
Approx. 5 hours to complete
Damon Centola
University of Pennsylvania
Coursera

Instructor

Damon Centola

  • 4.6 Raiting
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