TL;DR
This paper argues for the importance of considering group-level cognitive states to better understand large-scale social phenomena, using Wikipedia editor cooperation as a key example.
Contribution
It introduces the concept of mental boundaries in social systems and demonstrates the limitations of individual-focused approaches through quantitative analysis of Wikipedia.
Findings
Group cognitive states influence social dynamics.
Some effects of individual experience persist at the group level.
Methodological individualism has notable limitations.
Abstract
Group-level cognitive states are widely observed in human social systems, but their discussion is often ruled out a priori in quantitative approaches. In this paper, we show how reference to the irreducible mental states and psychological dynamics of a group is necessary to make sense of large scale social phenomena. We introduce the problem of mental boundaries by reference to a classic problem in the evolution of cooperation. We then provide an explicit quantitative example drawn from ongoing work on cooperation and conflict among Wikipedia editors, showing how some, but not all, effects of individual experience persist in the aggregate. We show the limitations of methodological individualism, and the substantial benefits that come from being able to refer to collective intentions, and attributions of cognitive states of the form "what the group believes" and "what the group values".
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