Social Networks and the Spread of Ideas (IMAGE)

University of Pennsylvania

Social Networks and the Spread of Ideas

Caption

Social networks influence how ideas and beliefs can spread around a society. In this study, the University of Pennsylvania's Damon Centola shows that networks that are very diffuse (left) make it hard for ideas to catch on, while networks with very strong group boundaries (right) make it almost impossible for ideas to spread. A network that was moderately "grouped," however, was most conducive to spreading complex ideas.

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University of Pennsylvania

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