New Books in Psychology

Sandra Matz, "Mindmasters: The Data-Driven Science of Predicting and Changing Human Behavior" (HBRP, 2025)

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May 9, 2025
Join Sandra Matz, a Columbia Business School professor and author, as she delves into the fascinating intersection of algorithms and human psychology. Discover how data-driven insights can reveal intimate aspects of our behavior, offering both potential benefits and ethical concerns. Matz discusses the dark side of manipulation in marketing and politics, yet highlights hopeful advances in mental health technology. With a balanced view, she explores how big data can encourage healthier choices while cautioning against our decreasing personal agency.
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ANECDOTE

Village Analogy for Digital Life

  • Sandra Matz compares growing up in a small village to the digital world we live in now.
  • Just like neighbors observed and influenced her, algorithms now monitor and shape our behavior digitally.
INSIGHT

Algorithms Know Us Deeply

  • Algorithms can know you better than close friends or even yourself by analyzing digital footprints.
  • Google searches reveal very intimate, often unspoken personal questions and behaviors.
INSIGHT

Subtle Personality Signals Online

  • Some digital footprint patterns reveal obvious personality traits, like extroverts’ social activity.
  • Subtle indicators, like phone battery dying often, signal traits like low conscientiousness.
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