Speaker: Christophe Heintz (Central European University)
Christophe Heintz works on the role of adaptive cognition in shaping economic behaviour, cultural evolution and the history of science. His publications deal with communication, with a focus on the biological evolution of ‘ostensive communication’ and ‘epistemic vigilance’, cognition and economics, with a focus on the cultural and psychological determinants of cooperative behaviour, principles of cultural evolution, advocating Cultural Attraction Theory, and cognitive studies of science.
He leads the research group Adaptive Cognition and Economics in Society (ACES).
Title
Studies in the psychology of coordination: from focal points to conventions
Abstract
Solving coordination problems involves identifying a focal point. In this talk, I will present a set of studies that provide insights into how people do that—to what extent they mind-read, and how they form beliefs about what is mutually salient. I will present four experimental studies that show how people solve coordination problems: by relying on precedent and other types of joint experience, by exploiting the salience of social categories, and by ascribing leadership. I will then speculate on how the psychological factors at work in solving coordination problems influence the emergence and cultural evolution of conventions, specify the methodological challenges we face in investigating the causal role of these factors, and advertise a smartphone app as a tool for taking up these challenges.
Everyone interested is welcome to attend.
The meeting will be held in English.
Participation is strongly recommended for students of the Doctoral School in Philosophy and Human Sciences and for students of the Doctoral School “The Human Mind and its Explanations: Language, Brain, and Reasoning”.
Where: Sala Piero Martinetti. Via Festa del Perdono 7 20161 Milano, Italia
When: 22/01/2026 – 11:00 CET
Attendance: Attendance is free and open to all, but registration is needed by email [angelica.kaufmann@unimi.it]