Degree Variance and Emotional Strategies Catalyze Cooperation in Dynamic Signed Networks

We study the problem of the emergence of cooperation in dynamic signed networks where agent strategies coevolve with relational signs and network topology. Running simulations based on an agent-based model, we compare results obtained in a regular lattice initialization with those obtained on a comparable random network initialization. We show that the increased degree heterogeneity at the outset enlarges the parametric conditions in which cooperation survives in the long run. Furthermore, we show how the presence of sign-dependent emotional strategies catalyze the evolution of cooperation with both network topology initializations.Comment: 16 Pages, Proceeding of the European Conference on Modelling and Simumatio

Signed Networks, Triadic Interactions and the Evolution of Cooperation

We outline a model to study the evolution of cooperation in a population of agents playing the prisoner's dilemma in signed networks. We highlight that if only dyadic interactions are taken into account, cooperation never evolves. However, when triadic considerations are introduced, a window of opportunity for emergence of cooperation as a stable behaviour emerges.Comment: In Proceedings Wivace 2013, arXiv:1309.712

The Miracle of Peer Review and Development in Science: An Agent-Based Model

It is not easy to rationalize how peer review, as the current grassroots of science, can work based on voluntary contributions of reviewers. There is no rationale to write impartial and thorough evaluations. Consequently, there is no risk in submitting low-quality work by authors. As a result, scientists face a social dilemma: if everyone acts according to his or her own self-interest, low scientific quality is produced. Still, in practice, reviewers as well as authors invest high effort in reviews and submissions. We examine how the increased relevance of public good benefits (journal impact factor), the editorial policy of handling incoming reviews, and the acceptance decisions that take into account reputational information can help the evolution of high-quality contributions from authors. High effort from the side of reviewers is problematic even if authors cooperate: reviewers are still best off by producing low-quality reviews, which does not hinder scientific development, just adds random noise and unnecessary costs to it. We show with agent-based simulations that tacit agreements between authors that are based on reciprocity might decrease these costs, but does not result in superior scientific quality. Our study underlines why certain self-emerged current practices, such as the increased importance of journal metrics, the reputation-based selection of reviewers, and the reputation bias in acceptance work efficiently for scientific development. Our results find no answers, however, how the system of peer review with impartial and thorough evaluations could be sustainable jointly with rapid scientific development.Comment: Submitted to Scientometric

A diszkriminációs gyakorlat kialakulása, fennmaradása és belülről fakadó letörése = The Evolution, Maintenance and Endogenous Breakdown of Discriminative Practices

A kutatásban néhány olyan alapvető mechanizmust modelleztünk, amelyek diszkriminációhoz vezetnek a munkaerő-felvétel során. Azt vizsgáltuk, hogy milyen strukturális feltételek valószínűsítik a diszkriminációt és milyen hálózati feltételek mellett kerülhető ez el leginkább. Ágens alapú szimuláció és kísérletek segítségével körvonalaztuk, hogy milyen hálózati és keretezési feltételek segítenek a diszkrimináció endogén csökkentésében. Ezekhez a célokhoz az EU 7. Keretprogram IEF Programjának segítségével nemzetközi kutatói együttműködés létesült F. Squazzonival, M. Castellanival (University of Brescia) és G. Bravoval (University of Torino). A laboratóriumi kísérleteket Bresciában és Budapesten végeztük. Kulcseredményünk, hogy nagy egyenlőtlenségek lehetnek a munkaerő-felvételben akkor is, ha nincs minőségbeli különbség a különböző kategóriákba tartozó munkások között és a munkaadók alapvető célja a legjobb munkások felvétele. Az ágens alapú modellünkben megmutattuk, hogy a társas kapcsolatoknak különböző hatása lehet a diszkriminációra attól függően, hogy milyen típusú kapcsolatokról beszélünk. Továbbá, mind a szimuláció, mind a laboratóriumi kísérletek megerősítették, hogy a túlzott elvárások magasabb diszkriminációs szintet eredményeznek. Az eredményeinket számos nemzetközi konferencián prezentáltuk, valamint nemzetközi folyóiratokhoz küldtük publikálásra. A kísérleti eredményekből egy bírált könyvfejezet a Wiley kiadónál és egy műhelytanulmány már megjelent Torinóban. | In this research project we modeled certain fundamental mechanisms that lead to discriminative practices in hiring. We analyzed under which structural configurations discrimination is likely to occur and under which network conditions they can be avoided. With the help of agent-based simulation and laboratory experiments, we demonstrated how discrimination can be decreased by social network and priming mechanisms. For these objectives and with the support of the FP7 IEF Program of the European Union, an international collaboration has been established with F. Squazzoni and M. Castellani (University of Brescia) and G. Bravo (University of Torino). Laboratory experiments have been conducted in Brescia and in Budapest. Our key finding was that large inequality in employment can be pervasive even when there are no differences in average quality between different worker categories and employers only strive for high quality workers. In our agent-based model we showed that social networks might have a different impact on discrimination depending on the type of network ties. In addition, both simulations and laboratory experiments confirmed that high aspirations can lead to a higher extent of discrimination. Results have been presented at several international conferences and are now submitted for publication to international journals. A reviewed book chapter by Wiley and a working paper in Torino summarizing experimental results have already been published

Hálózati kísérletek (Network experiments)

A társadalmi kapcsolatok hálózatának elemzése akárcsak a kísérleti közgazdaságtan, az utóbbi évtizedben rohamosan fejlődő diszciplína, amely számos új tudományos eredménnyel gazdagította és gazdagítja a társadalmi és gazdasági jelenségek magyarázatait. A hálózati kísérletek a két diszciplína találkozási pontján különösen tanulságosak, hiszen nem pusztán a hálózati iparágak működését és problémáit segítenek megérteni és megmagyarázni, de eredményeik meghatározó jelentőségűek a fogyasztói döntéshozatal vizsgálatában és a piaci verseny szabályozásának szempontjából is. A jelen tanulmány áttekintést ad a hálózati kísérletekről, ezen belül a lokális interakciós játékokról, a strukturálisan beágyazott játékokról, a cserehálózatok irodalmáról és a hálózatformálódási játékokról, valamint bemutatja a legfontosabb eredmények gyakorlati alkalmazási lehetőségeit és az alkalmazhatóság korlátait. / === / Analysis of the network of social relations, like experimental economics as a whole, is a discipline that has developed rapidly in recent decades and provided many new findings to explain societal and economic phenomena. Network experiments are notably instructive at the point of contact between the two disciplines, for besides helping to comprehend and explain the operation and problems of the network industries, they produce findings of decisive importance to examining consumer decision-making and regulating market competition. The study looks into network experiments, including local interaction games, structurally grounded games, the literature on exchange networks, and network-shaping games, as well as presenting the main results of applying them and the restrictions on doing so

Social Simulation That 'Peers into Peer Review'

This article suggests to view peer review as a social interaction problem and shows reasons for social simulators to investigate it. Although essential for science, peer review is largely understudied and current attempts to reform it are not supported by scientific evidence. We suggest that there is room for social simulation to fill this gap by spotlighting social mechanisms behind peer review at the microscope and understanding their implications for the science system. In particular, social simulation could help to understand why voluntary peer review works at all, explore the relevance of social sanctions and reputational motives to increase the commitment of agents involved, cast light on the economic cost of this institution for the science system and understand the influence of signals and social networks in determining biases in the reviewing process. Finally, social simulation could help to test policy scenarios to maximise the efficacy and efficiency of various peer review schemes under specific circumstances and for everyone involved