APS

2026 APS Annual Convention

ISS FLASH TALKS:  The Reciprocal Dynamics of Individual and Collective Cognition

Friday, May 29, 2026 · Barcelona, Spain

Oral · General Interest

Is cognition a purely individual process? This symposium examines cognition as a dynamic system that bridges individuals and groups. Experts from psychology and neuroscience will explore how shared experiences influence individual memory, decision-making, and belief formation. Furthermore, we will highlight cognitive phenomena that emerge exclusively within group contexts, such as the wisdom of crowds and social learning processes, and examine how these processes unfold in online ecosystems. The aim is to advance a more integrated model of cognition that moves beyond simplistic models of social influence.

Presentations

  1. Deciding to Rule-Break In the Presence of Uncertainty and Relative Desperation - An Agent-Based Modeling ApproachBrendan Lam, Arielle Baskin-Sommers, Victor Gonzalez-Jimenez
  2. Perceived Diffusion of Attention: More Authentic Emotional Expression In a GroupSherry Xiong, Emily Balcetis
  3. The Social Transmission of OptimismAnton Bel-Álvarez, Josué Garcia-Arch, Lluis Fuentemilla
  4. Perceived vs. Lived History In Times of Crisis: Divergences Between Public Beliefs and Societal Trends during COVID-19Peter Diep, Cendri Hutcherson, Igor Grossmann
  5. Communication In Pairs: Does a High-Level Construal Foster Shared-Reality Creation?Sophie Katharina Doege, Gerald Echterhoff, Wagner Ullrich, Jochim Hansen