Computational Approaches to Studying the Co-evolution of Networks and Behavior in Social Dilemmas

Rense CortenDepartment of Sociology, Utrecht University, The Netherlands benefit from the novel approaches presented in this book.

• Preface ix1 Introduction 11.1 Social dilemmas and social networks 11.1.1 Cooperation and social networks 41.1.2 Coordination and social networks 51.2 Dynamic networks, co-evolution, and research questions 61.3 Social networks and social dilemmas between sociology and economics 91.4 Approach: Models, simulation, and empirical tests 101.4.1 Theoretical models 131.4.2 Empirical approach 141.5 Description of the remaining chapters 15References 172 Consent or conflict: Co-evolution of coordination and networks 232.1 Introduction 232.1.1 Polarization, conflict, and coordination 242.1.2 Coordination and social networks 262.2 The model 282.3 Stable states 292.4 Simulation design 322.5 Simulation results 352.5.1 Predicting stable states I: Polarization 362.5.2 Predicting stable states II: Efficiency 392.6 Conclusions and discussion 41References 423 Cooperation and reputation in dynamic networks 473.1 Introduction 473.1.1 Cooperation and network effects 483.1.2 The case for network dynamics 493.1.3 Learning in networks 503.1.4 Related theoretical literature 513.2 The model 523.2.1 Formalization of the problem 523.2.2 Individual strategies 543.2.3 Reputation 563.2.4 Network decisions 583.2.5 Convergence 593.3 Analysis of the model 603.3.1 Dynamics of behavior with two actors 603.3.2 Stable states in fixed networks 613.3.3 Stable states in dynamic networks 633.4 Setup of the simulation 653.4.1 Dependent variables 663.4.2 Parameters of the simulation 663.4.3 Initial conditions of the simulation 673.4.4 Convergence of the simulation 683.5 Simulation results 683.5.1 Results for fixed networks 683.5.2 Results for dynamic networks 703.6 Conclusions and discussion 73References 774 Co-evolution of conventions and networks: An experimental study 814.1 Introduction 814.1.1 Coordination, conventions, and networks 824.1.2 An experimental approach 854.2 Model and simulation 864.2.1 The model 864.2.2 Analytic results 884.2.3 Simulation 904.2.4 Overview of micro-level and macro-level hypotheses 934.3 Experimental design 964.4 Results 974.4.1 Macro-level results 974.4.2 Individual behavior I: Decisions in the coordination game 1014.4.3 Individual behavior II: Linking decisions 1044.5 Conclusions and discussion 107References 1095 Alcohol use among adolescents as a coordination problem in a dynamic network 1135.1 Introduction 1135.1.1 Coordination, influence, and alcohol use 1155.1.2 Approaches to the study of selection and influence 1175.2 Predictions 1205.3 Data 1235.3.1 Data collection 1235.3.2 Variables and measures 1235.4 Methods of analysis 1255.5 Results 1265.5.1 Descriptive results 1265.5.2 Multilevel regression using combined network measures 1305.5.3 Multilevel regression using non-reciprocated friendship ties 1325.5.4 Additional analyses 1325.6 Conclusions 134References 1366 Conclusions 1396.1 Summary of the findings 1396.2 Theory, computer simulation, and empirical tests 1426.3 Suggestions for further research 1456.3.1 Theoretical extensions 1456.3.2 Suggestions for empirical studies 148References 149Appendix A: Instructions used in the experiment 151Appendix B: The computer interface used for the experiment 159Reference 167Index 169

“Corten’s book provides a very nice example of a theorizing-modelling-empirical testing cycle which can advance sociological investigation. This is a worth-reading book for every scholar who wants to understand the research life cycle in computational sociology. It is methodologically rigorous as well as inspirational and enlightening.”  (Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, 1 May 2014)