Theory of collective mind

G. Shteynberg; J.B. Hirsh; W. Wolf; J.A. Bargh; E.J. Boothby; A.M. Colman; G. Echterhoff; M. Rossignac-Milon

doi:10.1016/j.tics.2023.06.009

Theory of collective mind

G. Shteynberg^*, J.B. Hirsh, W. Wolf, J.A. Bargh, E.J. Boothby, A.M. Colman, G. Echterhoff, M. Rossignac-Milon

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

Abstract

Theory of mind research has traditionally focused on the ascription of mental states to a single individual. Here, we introduce a theory of collective mind: the ascription of a unified mental state to a group of agents with convergent experiences. Rather than differentiation between one's personal perspective and that of another agent, a theory of collective mind requires perspectival unification across agents. We review recent scholarship across the cognitive sciences concerning the conceptual foundations of collective mind representations and their empirical induction through the synchronous arrival of shared information. Research suggests that representations of a collective mind cause psychological amplification of co-attended stimuli, create relational bonds, and increase cooperation, among co-attendees.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1019-1031
Number of pages	13
Journal	Trends in Cognitive Sciences
Volume	27
Issue number	11
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2023.06.009
Publication status	Published - Nov 2023

Keywords

collective awareness
collective consciousness
collective meta-cognition
collective rationality
team reasoning
theory of mind

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10.1016/j.tics.2023.06.009

1-s2.0-S1364661323001687-mainFinal published version, 655 KBLicence: Taverne

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abstract = "Theory of mind research has traditionally focused on the ascription of mental states to a single individual. Here, we introduce a theory of collective mind: the ascription of a unified mental state to a group of agents with convergent experiences. Rather than differentiation between one's personal perspective and that of another agent, a theory of collective mind requires perspectival unification across agents. We review recent scholarship across the cognitive sciences concerning the conceptual foundations of collective mind representations and their empirical induction through the synchronous arrival of shared information. Research suggests that representations of a collective mind cause psychological amplification of co-attended stimuli, create relational bonds, and increase cooperation, among co-attendees.",

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T1 - Theory of collective mind

AU - Shteynberg, G.

AU - Hirsh, J.B.

AU - Wolf, W.

AU - Bargh, J.A.

AU - Boothby, E.J.

AU - Colman, A.M.

AU - Echterhoff, G.

AU - Rossignac-Milon, M.

PY - 2023/11

Y1 - 2023/11

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AB - Theory of mind research has traditionally focused on the ascription of mental states to a single individual. Here, we introduce a theory of collective mind: the ascription of a unified mental state to a group of agents with convergent experiences. Rather than differentiation between one's personal perspective and that of another agent, a theory of collective mind requires perspectival unification across agents. We review recent scholarship across the cognitive sciences concerning the conceptual foundations of collective mind representations and their empirical induction through the synchronous arrival of shared information. Research suggests that representations of a collective mind cause psychological amplification of co-attended stimuli, create relational bonds, and increase cooperation, among co-attendees.

KW - collective awareness

KW - collective consciousness

KW - collective meta-cognition

KW - collective rationality

KW - team reasoning

KW - theory of mind

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DO - 10.1016/j.tics.2023.06.009

M3 - Review article

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VL - 27

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Theory of collective mind

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Keywords

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