From random walks to colonoscopies: modelling how memory of the past affects future behaviour, a talk by Dr Rosemary Harris (Queen Mary, University of London)
Abstract
As humans, how does memory of our past experiences affect our future choices? Are there psychological biases which might cause us to behave less rationally than we think? Can we make mathematical predictions about such situations? And what does this all this have to do with theoretical physics research into “non-Markovian statistical mechanics”? In this talk, I will attempt to address some of these questions starting from the statistical mechanics of random walkers and progressing (via discussion of colonoscopies!) to simple decision-making models of behavioural economics.
No charge is made to attend meetings; non-IMA members are welcome.
After the talk, you are welcome to join the branch committee and the speaker for a meal.
