The research article “Social groups and polarization of aesthetic values from symmetry and complexity” implements statistical analysis to determine whether people fall into groups based on the aesthetic values of symmetry and complexity. The researchers found that polarization occurred, in which participants fell into islands of aesthetic preference. This pattern follows the formation of social groups based on different sets of values. It is natural and evolutionary advantageous for people to conform to social norms, as it allows them to experience community and support. In addition, people often adjust preferences to a greater extent to align with others in close social circles with them. Dr. Grzywacz’s lecture also added the factor of expert opinion, which resulted in a pattern in which participants shifted their aesthetic responses to more closely align with an expert.
This research serves as an example of herd mentality, in which people tended to fall into islands rather than expressing unique, individual preferences. This is a pattern of social behavior that may seem familiar across many aspects of society: present in religion, politics, sports, and organizations that all come together for shared interests. An important aspect of this grouping or herd mentality is that it is polarizing, meaning that distinct groups form based on different values or preferences. In the article, personality did not have significant effects on placement into an island, or social group. This could allude to the fact that despite individual characteristics that makeup our person, people tend to exhibit behaviors of social conformity. However, other cultural aspects or variables could lead to effects on group polarization. Dr. Grzywacz and collaborators found that gender led to significant difference in island placement. So, while people did not have an aesthetic preference based on their personality, their gender was a significant predictor of which island they would fall into.
Polarization, as seen in today’s society, is largely shaped by the modern technological era we live in. Social media is a driving force in the world, providing people with means of information, communication, and entertainment. The social media platforms used by billions of people daily are driven by algorithms. The Scientific American article “Social Media Algorithms Warp How People Learn from Each Other” outlines how algorithms boost information that is “prestigious” or “in-group.” When considering Dr. Grzywacz’s research, the effects of prestige and in-group information can be considered driving factors towards polarization. People looking for social acceptance or belonging will tend to agree more with information similar to what they or those close to them believe, and they will also alter their beliefs to match those considered reliable experts. The prestige factor of social media content becomes difficult to consider due to the lack of reliable sourcing often found in social media sources, yet users may not be able to identify misinformation and still allow it to sway their preferences. A February 2024 article from The Guardian entitled “Social media algorithms ‘amplifying misogynistic content’ ” finds that young men are especially vulnerable to radicalization on popular social media platform TikTok, whose algorithm pushed four times as much misogynistic content within five days of creating an account with its gender identity set as male. This could have large implications when considering the significant difference in gender effects on polarization in aesthetic values, suggesting that gender socialization plays a role in deciding social groups and values.
References
Brady, W., FF4BB2BC-B3A4-4FBD-B8A4EE080E321552, /author/the-Conversation-Us/, 4SGwgVplZn78AUrz0vAX2R, US, T. C., The-Conversation-Us, & Curated by professional editors, T. C. offers informed commentary and debate on the issues affecting our world. (2024, February 20). Social media algorithms warp how people learn from each other. Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/social-media-algorithms-warp-how-people-learn-from-each-other/
Weale, S. (2024, February 6). Social media algorithms “amplifying misogynistic content.” The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/media/2024/feb/06/social-media-algorithms-amplifying-misogynistic-content
Mather, K.B., Aleem, H., Rhee, Y. et al. Social groups and polarization of aesthetic values from symmetry and complexity. Sci Rep 13, 21507 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-47835-w
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