Sociology

Collaborative Shapes

Work together to make a shape–with your eyes closed.

Where: This exhibit is not currently on view.

Digital Footprints

Daily cycles of the city are projected onto a miniature topographic map of San Francisco.

Where: Fisher Bay Observatory Gallery 6: Observing Landscapes

Freeloader

Your dilemma: Play for yourself—or for the group?

Where: Osher Gallery 1: Human Phenomenon

Human Phenomena Explainer Station

Explainers do social interaction demonstrations.

Where: Osher Gallery 1: Human Phenomenon

Making Meaning

Discuss your interpretations of these words and images.

Where: Osher Gallery 1: Human Phenomenon

Red/Blue

Even randomly formed groups can generate instant rivalries.

Where: This exhibit is not currently on view.

This two-person drinking fountain was inspired by the Prisoner's Dilemma, a famous paradox of game theory: Do you choose to sacrifice your companion—and to some degree yourself—rather than risk being a trusting chump?

Where: This exhibit is not currently on view.

Sort and Switch

See how fast you can assign words to categories–then switch sides and try it again. Do you notice a difference?

Where: Osher Gallery 1: Human Phenomenon

Survival Game

Players struggle to keep their livestock herds alive and thriving—despite disease, drought, and other dangers. When your neighbor suffers a major loss, the question arises: Can you afford to share? But the real question may be, can you afford not to?

Where: Osher Gallery 1: Human Phenomenon