Social Interactions

What it is and why it is important

Social interactions research investigates how individuals and groups interact within various social contexts and how these interactions influence social structures, behaviors, and outcomes.

Our research provides insights for developing policies and interventions that foster economic equality, social cohesion, and community well-being.

Key research topics in this field include:

  • The dynamics of social networks and their impact on individual and group behavior.
  • The role of social interactions in shaping norms, group formation, and institutional practices.
  • How neighborhood context influences individual socio-economic outcome, geographic segregation, and community cohesion.

Related Events

Related Research Papers

Poor Neighborhoods, Bad Schools? A High-dimensional Model of Place-based Disparities in Academic Achievement

Working Paper

Separation of Church and State Curricula? Examining Public and Religious Private School Textbooks

Working Paper

Episode #35: Eric Schliesser on Adam Smith’s Warnings About Inequality

Featured Episode In Social Interactions

August 11, 2025
Guests Eric Schliesser
Adam Smith is often remembered for championing free markets, but his moral philosophy on inequality and power is less known. Eric Schliesser joins Steven Durlauf to discuss this side of Smith and the decline of the economist as moral philosopher.