Sessions at SXSW Interactive 2011 about Psychology and Social Media

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Tuesday 15th March 2011

• Engineering vs. Psychology in Social Media: A Conversation

  by Jesper Andersen and Stephanie Dub

  As we continue to embrace all forms of social media, we unwittingly allow privacy settings and engineered functionality dictate the evolution and devolution of our relationships. We're beginning to see a new model of relational progression that is constructed by the levels of 'friendship' or 'following' allowed on sites, not necessarily what is psychologically beneficial.

  With establishing social sites in an industry where success and product value are measured by data sets, user base growth, and scalability comes an ever growing ignorance of the distinction between building a successful service using computers and building a successful model of relationships.

  Is it possible that the immediately fulfilling and addicting satisfaction of social media site use conceals the concept that the rules, metrics, and system preferences which define the world of tech and internet are not necessarily the ones that should be defining our relationships?

  This presentation will take a look at the differences between psychological relational progression and the new world of engineering defined relationships. We will discuss the nuances and experiences that are important to relationships and how they integrate, or don't, with the informal new relationship model that social technology is creating. We'll then discuss how we foresee coming back to a middle ground between socially engineered and naturally occurring relational experiences.

  LEVEL: Beginner

  • Psychology
  • Social Media

  At 9:30am to 10:30am, Tuesday 15th March

  In TX Ballroom 1, Hyatt Regency Austin

• Unwritten Rules: Brands, Social Psychology and Social Media

  by Ben McAllister and Kate Canales

  When a friend invites you to dinner, you bring wine or flowers – not $100 cash – as a gesture of thanks. That goes without saying. But if a brand comes to dinner, what should they bring? When it comes to social media, there are unwritten rules for how to behave that many brands simply aren't getting.

  Brands are grappling with social media as they try to find a place at our virtual dinner table. Some brands get it, some gaffe it. The rules, it turns out, are hidden in basic social psychology. The established behaviors of friendship are the prevailing rules of the road in social media: sharing valuable information, entertaining one another, support in a crisis, celebration of a personal achievement. But the established behaviors of transactions (the way we historically interact with brands) can feel awkward and forced in social media. So how can brands build trust with their networks while being social like a friend? This session will look at social media behavior and what brands can do to become a delightful guest and valuable contributor at our virtual dinner party.

  LEVEL: Beginner

  • Branding
  • Psychology
  • Social Media

  At 9:30am to 10:30am, Tuesday 15th March

  In Ballroom F, Austin Convention Center

  Coverage slide deck note