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The YouTube Algorithm Isn’t Radicalizing People

A new study from the Computational Social Science Lab finds that the YouTube recommendation system is less influential on users’ political views than is commonly believed.

Research

The Commonalities of Common Sense

PIK Professor Duncan Watts and Computational Social Science Lab senior researcher Mark Whiting address a critical gap in how knowledge is understood.

Faculty News

Duncan Watts Elected to the National Academy of Sciences

Watts was one of four distinguished scholars from Penn recognized for their innovative contributions to original research.

Research

Radicalization at a Glance: Penn Media Accountability Project Launches Interactive Data Dashboard

As part of its Penn Media Accountability Project (PennMAP), the Computational Social Science Lab launches the first in a series of interactive data visualizations designed to make their research accessible and engaging.

Research

TV News Top Driver of Political Echo Chambers in U.S.

Duncan Watts and colleagues found that 17% of Americans consume television news from partisan left- or right-leaning sources compared to just 4% online.

Faculty News

Annenberg Faculty Elected to 2021 Class of AAAS Fellows

Kathleen Hall Jamieson and Duncan Watts join eight other Penn scholars in their election to the newest class of Fellows.

Research

Want to Reduce Political Polarization? Start by Looking Beyond Politics

Is bonding over non-political similarities the key to depolarizing political discussions? New research sheds light on how even hardliners can be swayed when coming in contact with opposing viewpoints.

Research

Do Success Stories Cause False Beliefs About Success?

Does explicitly acknowledging bias make us less likely to make biased decisions? A new study examining how people justify decisions based on biased data finds that this is not necessarily the case.

Research

What Big Data Reveals About Online Extremism

Homa Hosseinmardi and her colleagues at Penn’s Computational Social Science Lab studied browsing data from 300,000 Americans to gain insights into how online radicalization occurs — and to help develop solutions.

News

PennMAP Research and Outcomes to Expand Thanks to Leadership Gift

Duncan Watts's Penn Media Accountability Project (PennMAP) is expanding, thanks to a new leadership gift from a Wharton alum.