Ian Axel Anderson

Ian A. Anderson is a Postdoctoral Scholar Research Associate in Computational Neuroscience of Social Media and Emotion at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), working under Professor Dean Mobbs. His research bridges social psychology and computational methods to investigate habitual behaviors in digital environments, with significant contributions to understanding misinformation spread and online engagement patterns.

His academic credentials include:

• BA in Economics and Political Science from Swarthmore College (2013)
• MS in Management (Marketing and Consumer Psychology) from INSEAD (2019)
• MA (2021) and PhD in Social Psychology from the University of Southern California (2024)

Anderson's research centers on psychological mechanisms underlying social media interactions, particularly how automatic processes drive online behaviors like scrolling, posting, and sharing. He examines intersections of habit formation with hate speech, conspiracy theories, identity expression, and well-being, employing mixed-method approaches including NLP, experimental designs, and advanced statistical modeling. His work reveals how habitual actions often operate independently of conscious motivation, challenging assumptions about user agency in digital spaces.

Analysis of his publications shows a consistent trajectory toward understanding the neural and psychological foundations of social media habits. His PNAS-featured work demonstrates how misinformation sharing functions as automatic behavior rather than deliberate bias, while later studies explore interventions for breaking harmful digital patterns. This research program uniquely combines computational neuroscience with social psychology to address contemporary challenges in online ecosystems.

Key recognitions include:

• Communicator of the Year 2023 (USC Dornsife College)
• Honorable Mention for Psych of Tech Dissertation Award 2022

Though currently in a postdoctoral role without formal advisees, Anderson actively collaborates across institutions including USC, Caltech, and the CERES Lab. His grant-funded projects investigate adolescent well-being, hate speech reporting mechanisms, and cross-platform misinformation dynamics. He maintains strong industry connections through past social media consultancy work while advancing academic research agendas.

At Caltech, Anderson contributes to Professor Mobbs' research group focusing on the neuroscience of social media engagement. His collaborative network spans the CERES Lab (adolescent studies), INSEAD (marketing psychology), and interdisciplinary teams developing habit-intervention frameworks for digital well-being.