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Spite is contagious in dynamic networks

Author

Listed:
  • Zachary Fulker

    (Northeastern University)

  • Patrick Forber

    (Tufts University)

  • Rory Smead

    (Northeastern University)

  • Christoph Riedl

    (Northeastern University
    Northeastern University
    Northeastern University
    IMT Lucca)

Abstract

Spite, costly behavior that harms others, presents an evolutionary puzzle: given that both the actor and recipient do worse, how could it emerge? We show that dynamically evolving interaction networks provide a novel explanation for the evolution of costly harm. Previous work has shown that anti-correlated interaction (e.g., negative assortment or negative relatedness) among behavioral strategies in populations can lead to the evolution of costly harm. We show that these approaches are blind to important features of interaction brought about by a co-evolution of network and behavior and that these features enable the emergence of spite. We analyze a new model in which agents can inflict harm on others at a cost to themselves, and simultaneously learn how to behave and with whom to interact. We find spite emerges reliably under a wide range of conditions. Our model reveals that when interactions occur in dynamic networks the population can exhibit correlated and anti-correlated behavioral interactions simultaneously, something not possible in standard models. In dynamic networks spite evolves due to transient and partial anti-correlated interaction, even when other behaviors are positively correlated and average degree of correlated interaction in the population is low.

Suggested Citation

  • Zachary Fulker & Patrick Forber & Rory Smead & Christoph Riedl, 2021. "Spite is contagious in dynamic networks," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-9, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-20436-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20436-1
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    Cited by:

    1. Qian, Jun & Zhang, Tongda & Zhang, Yingfeng & Chai, Yueting & Sun, Xiao & Wang, Zhen, 2023. "The construction of peer punishment preference: how central power shapes prosocial and antisocial punishment behaviors," Applied Mathematics and Computation, Elsevier, vol. 442(C).
    2. Kurokawa, Shun, 2024. "Evolution of spite versus evolution of altruism through a disbandment mechanism," Theoretical Population Biology, Elsevier, vol. 156(C), pages 131-147.
    3. Zachary Fulker & Patrick Forber & Rory Smead & Christoph Riedl, 2022. "Spontaneous emergence of groups and signaling diversity in dynamic networks," Papers 2210.17309, arXiv.org, revised Jan 2024.
    4. Christoph Riedl & Tom Grad & Christopher Lettl, 2024. "Competition and Collaboration in Crowdsourcing Communities: What happens when peers evaluate each other?," Papers 2404.14141, arXiv.org.

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