Facebook algorithms: impacts on the formation of opinion and groups in political processes

• Grant number: 16/21282-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2017
• End date: March 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Psychology - Psychological Treatment and Prevention
• Principal Investigator: Joao Angelo Fantini
• Grantee: Bruna Jandoso
• Host Institution: Centro de Educação e Ciências Humanas (CECH). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Due to the increase in conflicts created by different groups in social media, this study aims to understand the impact of Facebook's algorithms using the process of formation of groups and political views. The need to advance the knowledge regarding the operations of the information filtering on the most used social network in the world. It will also seek to understand the impact on political conflicts between individuals who share different opinions. Through this perspective, information technology concepts such as algorithm and psychoanalytic term such as social bond are featured in a new way of understanding other concepts such as the working groups or what we call Public Opinion. (AU)