Navigating Data and Human Behavior

In this episode, Dr. Sandra Matz shares the compelling world of psychological targeting and the power of big data. Dr. Matz, the David W. Zalaznick Associate Professor of Business at Columbia Business School, delves into her groundbreaking research which intersects psychology, computer science, and big data analytics. We explore how seemingly innocent digital traces can reveal deep insights into our personal lives, and the double-edged sword of how these insights are used—not just to influence our shopping habits, but potentially our very choices and beliefs.

From her unique perspective as a computational social scientist, Dr. Matz discusses the nuances of digital footprints and their implications. We dissect the ethical boundaries of big data, touching upon the balance between technological advancement and individual privacy. As algorithms gain an increasing presence in our daily decisions, understanding this balance has never been more critical.

Some highlights we explore:

• How our online behaviors can predict personal traits with startling accuracy.
• The ethical considerations and potential risks of using big data in psychological profiling.
• Dr. Matz's insights into the evolution of digital privacy and what it means for individual autonomy.

Enjoy!