Long-Distance Connections Like Those on Social Media Affect ‘Social Contagion’ Spread

A new study from researchers at MIT and Harvard found that human behavior can be influenced by people beyond one’s close social circles.

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Social contagions are real. Now, thanks to researchers from the University of Pittsburgh, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Harvard University, science can prove it.

The mathematics and engineering departments from the three schools worked together to discover why simple decisions, like where a person chooses to shop, and more complex decisions, like vaccinating one’s child, can be influenced by the thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors of others—both near and far.