Collective Representation in Economics: Concept and Examples Speaker: Dr Tugce Cuhadaroglu (Economics, Business School)

The goal of the Collective Behaviour and Intelligence seminar series is to explore the phenomena of collective behaviour and intelligence, the mechanisms underlying them and their consequences, through reading and discussion of classic and current literature. These phenomena are of interest to a wide variety of disciplines and include many different systems at various scales of organisation. To cast a wide net and engage participants from different disciplines, we will review theoretical, modelling and empirical studies on various systems, using animal collective behaviour as a point of departure but also exploring human societies and their collective dynamics, as well as other systems where collective behaviour can be found.
Sessions could include a combination of lectures and discussions of pre-selected readings, coordinated by the various participants. The seminars are free of charge and all are welcome.

Abstract:
What does the notion of collective representation mean to an economist? In this talk, Tugce Cuhadaroglu will explore how economists from different fields think about this concept—where their views overlap, and where they diverge. She will also draw some lines between collective representation and related ideas like collective behaviour and collective intelligence, using examples to make those differences clear. Along the way, Tugce will take a closer look at some key examples that have been discussed, like social norms and social welfare functions, to show how collective representations shape economic thinking and decision-making.