The human network : how your social position determines your power, beliefs, and behaviors

****A fresh and intriguing look at how our "hidden positions" in various social structures, or human networks, shape how we think and behave, how our very outlook on life is formed--by a distinguished professor of economics at Stanford University.****Inequality, social immobility, and political polarization are but a few crucial phenomena driven by the inevitability of social structures. Social structures determine who has power and influence, can explain why people fail to assimilate basic facts, and can help us understand patterns of contagion--from the spread of disease to financial crises. Despite their primary role in shaping our lives, human networks are often overlooked when we try to account for our most important political and economic behaviors and trends. This book illuminates the complexity of the social networks in which we are positioned, sometimes unwittingly, and can help us to better undertstand why we are who we are as individuals.Ranging across disciplines--psychology, behavioral economics, sociology, and business--and rich with historical analogies and anecdotes,__The Human Network__provides an eye-opening and fascinating account of what can drive success or failure in life. A fresh and intriguing look at how our "hidden positions" in various social structures, or human networks, shape how we think and behave, how our very outlook on life is formed--by a distinguished professor of economics at Stanford University. Inequality, social immobility, and political polarization are but a few crucial phenomena driven by the inevitability of social structures. Social structures determine who has power and influence, can explain why people fail to assimilate basic facts, and can help us understand patterns of contagion--from the spread of disease to financial crises. Despite their primary role in shaping our lives, human networks are often overlooked when we try to account for our most important political and economic behaviors and trends. This book illuminates the complexity of the social networks in which we are positioned, sometimes unwittingly, and can help us to better undertstand why we are who we are as individuals. Ranging across disciplines--psychology, behavioral economics, sociology, and business--and rich with historical analogies and anecdotes, The Human Network provides an eye-opening and fascinating account of what can drive success or failure in life. Here is a fresh, intriguing, and, above all, authoritative book about how our sometimes hidden positions in various social structures—our human networks—shape how we think and behave, and inform our very outlook on life. Inequality, social immobility, and political polarization are only a few crucial phenomena driven by the inevitability of social structures. Social structures determine who has power and influence, account for why people fail to assimilate basic facts, and enlarge our understanding of patterns of contagion—from the spread of disease to financial crises. Despite their primary role in shaping our lives, human networks are often overlooked when we try to account for our most important political and economic practices. Matthew O. Jackson brilliantly illuminates the complexity of the social networks in which we are—often unwittingly—positioned and aims to facilitate a deeper appreciation of why we are who we are. Ranging across disciplines—psychology, behavioral economics, sociology, and business—and rich with historical analogies and anecdotes, The Human Network provides a galvanizing account of what can drive success or failure in life. Examines How Human Networks Drive Inequality, Social Immobility, And Political Polarization And Are Often Overlooked Factors In Success And Failure, Examining The Role Of Social Structures In Patterns Ranging From Disease Outbreak To Financial Crises. Introduction: Networks And Human Behavior -- Power And Influence: Central Positions In Networks -- Diffusion And Contagion -- Too Connected To Fail: Financial Networks -- Homophily: Houses Divided -- Immobility And Inequality: Network Feedback And Poverty Traps -- The Wisdom And Folly Of The Crowd -- The Influence Of Our Friends And Our Local Network Structures -- Globalization: Our Changing Networks. Matthew O. Jackson. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 243-320) And Index. "Examines how human networks drive inequality, social immobility, and political polarization and are often overlooked factors in success and failure, examining the role of social structures in patterns ranging from disease outbreak to financial crises." -- (Source of summary not specified) Discover the landmark new big idea that is revolutionising our understanding of human interaction