Kristina Lerman Talk

February 17, 2026 3:00pm EDT Luddy AI 2005

Speaker: Kristina Lerman

Title: Cyberpsychology: Emotion as the Hidden Driver of Social Behavior in Online Networks

Abstract: Emotions shape every aspect of social life, yet their role in digital communication has been surprisingly under-explored. Social media research has focused on information — what people share, believe, or consume — while overlooking how emotions shape identity, connect communities, and drive collective behavior. This talk examines social media as an emotional ecosystem, where affect is not only expressed but also spreads, amplifies, and transforms social dynamics at scale. Drawing on computational methods for detecting discrete emotions, I show how online emotional interactions impact a wide range of phenomena, from political polarization and radicalization to eating disorders. I also examine the new frontier of emotionally intelligent AI and how chatbots can draw people into emotionally intimate relationships. Through large-scale studies and dynamical systems models, I demonstrate how emotional feedback loops — rather than factual disagreement alone — drive societal division and mental health challenges. Understanding the social psychology of digital emotions is not just a scientific opportunity but a necessary step toward creating healthier, more resilient online spaces.

Short Bio: Prior to joining Luddy, Kristina Lerman spent 27 years at the University of Southern California, most recently serving as a Senior Principal Scientist at USC Information Sciences Institute. Trained as a physicist, she uses AI, machine learning and network science to answer questions in computational social science. Her research explores how algorithms and platforms shape social behavior and human psychology, as well as access to information, attention and social support. Her work has been covered by the Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, and The Atlantic. She is a fellow of the AAAI.