Physicists and psychologists track social phases in human movement

Observations of preschool children in classrooms and playgrounds have uncovered new social phases in human movement. Employing ultra-wideband radio frequency identification (UWB-RFID) technology allows for the precise tracking of children’s movements, revealing a “gas-like” phase of free, independent movement and a “liquid-vapor coexistence” phase where small groups dynamically form and disperse.

This discovery provides a fresh perspective on human interactions in low-speed social settings, offering insights that could enhance strategies in education and crowd management, and opens new research avenues in social physics and active matter systems.

The research is published in the journal Physical Review E and is the result of a collaboration between the Department of Physics and the Department of Psychology at the University of Miami, as well as external contributors.

This project was a joint effort between the Department of Physics and the Department of Psychology at the University of Miami, with contributions from both faculty (also members of IDSC) and students, as well as external collaborators.

From the Department of Physics, Yi Zhang and Debasish Sarker, co-led the research under the guidance of advisor Prof. Chaoming Song, an expert in statistical physics and complex systems. On the Psychology side, Samantha Mitsven played a key role in data collection, with Prof. Daniel Messinger and Prof. Lynn Perry providing essential insights into human behavior dynamics and social interactions.