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

6

Conclusions

This final chapter roughly consists of three parts. First, we look back at the efforts in previous chapters and summarize the main arguments and findings. Second, we take a step back and evaluate the general approach to research in this book, characterized by a combination of formal modeling, computer simulation, and various empirical strategies, from a broader perspective. Lastly, we conclude the chapter by looking at some possibilities for further research.

6.1 Summary of the findings

It is well established in sociology that social networks influence many social and economic outcomes. Networks play an important role in, for instance, the diffusion of opinions and innovations and can under certain conditions foster cooperation. The majority of past research has considered social networks as exogenously fixed and has studied the consequences of network embeddedness for individual behavior. However, it is increasingly recognized that social networks are dynamic and are often the results of individual decisions about relationships. Thus, the question how networks evolve becomes salient. It is likely that individual decisions on relationships are related to the same individual traits that are also influenced by social networks. This implies that social networks and the traits of individuals within these networks develop interdependently or co-evolve. For instance, we may be influenced by our close friends with regard to our political views, but our political views may ...