MIT: You are how you behave, socially speaking

As kids, our parents told us, "You are what you eat." In the Internet age, though, Mom and Dad should be saying, "You are how you behave - socially speaking." A new study indicates that how people interact on social networks may lead to more powerful interactions such as how information is spread.

by Kristina Knight

Researchers with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) found that the way people interact in social media, such as social networks or message boards, may help the flow of information in some circumstances. Their research suggests that behavior is now influenced by social networks.

MIT Sloan School of Management's Assistant Professor Damon Centola studied more than 1,500 people to come to the results. The study participants were divided into two groups: one group with 'health buddies' and one without. The research found that people with a health buddy were more likely to participate and those with two or more 'buddies' were most likely to participate often.

In the past, researchers have found that specific groups of people, called influencers, were pushing the flow of information. This study indicates that that assumption isn't necessarily true. Instead, it would seem from the MIT research than the connections between people are most important.

This study was specifically designed around health concerns, but correlations could be drawn from the research into other sectors, because it seems the structure of a circle is what pushes the distribution and spread of content. For example if people are more likely to interact with those suffering the same ailments, doesn't it stand to reason that they would also interact more with people who have the same interests, hobbies or shopping habits?