How We Learn About our Networked World

TL;DR

This paper explores how humans learn and perceive networks of information, revealing that humans find some networks easier to learn and some links more surprising, which informs how to optimize information presentation.

Contribution

It demonstrates that humans have preferences and biases in learning network structures, providing insights into optimizing information delivery for better learning outcomes.

Findings

Humans learn some network types more easily.

Humans find certain links more surprising.

Insights into human learning of networked information.

Abstract

When presented with information of any type, from music to language to mathematics, the human mind subconsciously arranges it into a network. A network puts pieces of information like musical notes, syllables or mathematical concepts into context by linking them together. These networks help our minds organize information and anticipate what is coming. Here we present two questions about network building. 1) Can humans more easily learn some types of networks than others? 2) Do humans find some links between ideas more surprising than others? The answer to both questions is "Yes," and we explain why. The findings provide much-needed insight into the ways that humans learn about the networked world around them. Moreover, the study paves the way for future efforts seeking to optimize how information is presented to accelerate human learning.