Emotions spread in groups, but real-time prediction with computer simulations remains challenging
Emotions can be contagious. Computer scientist Erik van Haeringen investigated how emotions spread in large groups.
In his research, he studied how we can predict the spread of emotions in groups using computer models. Emotion contagion in crowds is seen as one of the causes of dangerous situations in which people behave collectively emotionally. Think for example of aggression during riots or people who push each other away in panic.
However, we do not yet understand well how emotions spread in groups. Moreover, it is difficult to collect data on emotion spread in groups, due to practical, ethical and legal objections. Van Haeringen built computer models and performed experiments in the lab. The aim of the research was to gain more insight into the spread of emotions in groups and how we could predict this better.
He contributed to a number of theoretical problems of previous computer models that simulate emotion contagion, such as how you can model the simultaneous exchange of different types of emotions in groups. He also contributed to the knowledge from observations and experiments that is needed to evaluate these models and test them against reality.
Video calls
For this purpose, Van Haeringen designed a new experiment in which he measured the emotions of a group of people while they were video calling each other. This showed that the emotions of the people who shared a virtual space became more similar to each other. If you zoom in on one-on-one interactions within the group, it turns out that someone's facial expression becomes more similar to the expression of the person they are looking at.
However, when we replace the webcam video with a virtual person who imitates someone's gaze live, many of the patterns that indicate emotional contagion disappear. When you place people in the role of security guard in a virtual stadium, they are emotionally influenced by collective virtual expressions of emotion.
Although the research was initially aimed at predicting emotions live for crowd control, Van Haeringen currently sees substantial scientific and ethical objections to this application. However, he does conclude that we can apply a realistic computer model of how emotions spread in groups in the short term. This can serve as training for professional groups that work with crowds, such as security guards.
Turning off the camera
Furthermore, insights into emotional contagion can contribute to better organizing social environments at work or school, for example. One idea is to not allow people to turn off their cameras en masse during video calling, because according to Van Haeringen's research this may disrupt the exchange of emotions.
In addition, the results of this dissertation warn against the hasty introduction of new communication technologies in society. More knowledge about how emotions spread in digital groups is essential to protect our social interactions against the harmful effects of new technological developments.
