Squazzoni Agent-Based Computational Sociology

1. Auflage 2012
ISBN: 978-1-119-95419-4
Verlag: John Wiley & Sons
Format: PDF
Kopierschutz: Adobe DRM (»Systemvoraussetzungen)

E-Book, Englisch, 248 Seiten, E-Book

Most of the intriguing social phenomena of our time, such asinternational terrorism, social inequality, and urban ethnicsegregation, are consequences of complex forms of agent interactionthat are difficult to observe methodically and experimentally. Thisbook looks at a new research stream that makes use of advancedcomputer simulation modelling techniques to spotlight agentinteraction that allows us to explain the emergence of socialpatterns. It presents a method to pursue analytical sociologyinvestigations that look at relevant social mechanisms in variousempirical situations, such as markets, urban cities, andorganisations.
This book:
* Provides a comprehensive introduction to epistemological,theoretical and methodological features of agent-based modelling insociology through various discussions and examples.
* Presents the pros and cons of using agent-based models insociology.
* Explores agent-based models in combining quantitative andqualitative aspects, and micro- and macro levels of analysis.
* Looks at how to pose an agent-based research question,identifying the model building blocks, and how to validatesimulation results.
* Features examples of agent-based models that look at crucialsociology issues.
* Supported by an accompanying website featuring data sets andcode for the models included in the book.
Agent-Based Computational Sociology is written in acommon sociological language and features examples of models thatlook at all the traditional explanatory challenges of sociology.Researchers and graduate students involved in the field ofagent-based modelling and computer simulation in areas such associal sciences, cognitive sciences and computer sciences willbenefit from this book.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Squazzoni, Flaminio

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Preface ix
1 What is agent-based computational sociology all about?1
1.1 Predecessors and fathers 3
1.2 The main ideas of agent-based computational sociology 9
1.2.1 The primacy of models 9
1.2.2 The generative approach 11
1.2.3 The micro-macro link 13
1.2.4 Process and change 15
1.2.5 The unexcluded middle 16
1.2.6 Trans-disciplinarity 17
1.3 What are ABMs? 18
1.4 A classification of ABM use in social research 20
References 26
2 Cooperation, coordination and social norms 33
2.1 Direct reciprocity and the persistence of interaction 36
2.2 Strong reciprocity and social sanctions 42
2.3 Disproportionate prior exposure 49
2.4 Partner selection 54
2.5 Reputation 62
2.6 The emergence of conventions 69
References 78
3 Social influence 85
3.1 Segregation dynamics 88
3.2 Threshold behavior and opinions 97
3.3 Culture dynamics and diversity 103
3.4 Social reflexivity 109
References 122
4 The methodology 131
4.1 The method 134
4.2 Replication 140
4.2.1 The querelle about segregation 144
4.2.2 The querelle about trust and mobility 147
4.3 Multi-level empirical validation 151
References 159
5 Conclusions 165
References 172
Appendix A 175
A.1 Research centers 175
A.2 Scientific associations 177
A.3 Journals 178
A.4 Simulation tools 179
References 179
Appendix B 181
B.1 Example I: Partner selection and dynamic networks (Boero,Bravo and Squazzoni 2010) 182
B.2 Example II: Reputation (Boero et al. 2010) 211
References 234
Index 235