Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 19, 2026

Author Spotlight: A Novel Setup to Conduct Naturalistic Laboratory Experiments with Real Human Actors in Scenarios
Published on: August 4, 2023
Social Simulation Models at the Ethical Crossroads
1, KEN 94/140, 02-777, Warsaw, Poland. pawelsobko@gmail.com.
Abstract:
Computational models of group opinion dynamics are one of the most active fields of sociophysics. In recent years, advances in model complexity and, in particular, the possibility to connect these models with detailed data describing individual behaviors, preferences and activities, have opened the way for the simulations to describe quantitatively selected, real world social systems. The simulations could be then used to study 'what-if' scenarios for opinion change campaigns, political, ideological or commercial. The possibility of the practical application of the attitude change models necessitates that the research community working in the field should consider more seriously the moral aspects of their efforts, in particular the potential for their use for unintended goals. The paper discusses these issues, and offers a suggestion for a new research direction: using the attitude models to increase the awareness and detection of social manipulation cases. Such research would offer a scientific challenge and meet the ethical criteria.
Related Concept Videos
Social Exchange Theory
Social Exchange Theory
Social Foundations of Self I: Play and Game
Social Scripts
Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other
Social Traps

