Statistical physics of social systems

Certain aspects of human behavior are remarkably predictable in large groups. In this respect humans are, despite the fact that as individuals we are unique and special, much like particles in matter. Methods of statistical physics have, during the past two decades, proven very valuable for describing phenomena also outside the realm of classical physics. Statistical physics of social systems, as an example, focuses on collective phenomena that occur due to the interaction among individuals that act as elementary units in larger social structures. The dynamics of public opinion, the evolution of language, herding phenomena in riots and revolutions, as well as the emergence of elitism and hierarchies in political circles, are frequent themes of this line of research. In the lecture, we will give an introduction to this young but very promising branch of physics, with an emphasis on traffic, reward and punishment as foundations of successful societies, as well as on bargaining as an everyday yet fascinatingly complex human activity.