How Can Social Networks Ever Become Complex? Modelling the Emergence of Complex Networks from Local Social Exchanges

Small-world and power-law network structures have been prominently proposed as models of large networks. However, the assumptions of these models usually lack sociological grounding. We present a computational model grounded in social exchange theory. Agents search attractive exchange partners in a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of artificial societies and social simulation Vol. 8; no. 4
Main Authors Pujol, Josep M, Flache, Andreas, Delgado, Jordi, Sangüesa, Ramon
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published 01.10.2005
Subjects
Exchange Theory
Modelling
Power
Simulation
Social exchange
Social Networks
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Summary:Small-world and power-law network structures have been prominently proposed as models of large networks. However, the assumptions of these models usually lack sociological grounding. We present a computational model grounded in social exchange theory. Agents search attractive exchange partners in a diverse population. Agent use simple decision heuristics, based on imperfect, local information. Computer simulations show that the topological structure of the emergent social network depends heavily upon two sets of conditions, harshness of the exchange game and learning capacities of the agents. Further analysis show that a combination of these conditions affects whether star-like, small-world or power-law structures emerge.
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ISSN:1460-7425
1460-7425