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Structural Learning: Attraction and Conformity in Task-Oriented Groups

Author

Listed:
  • James A. Kitts

    (Cornell University)

  • Michael W. Macy

    (Cornell University)

  • Andreas Flache

    (University of Bayreuth)

Abstract

This study extends previous research that showed how informal social sanctions can backfire when members prefer friendship over enforcement of group norms. We use a type of neural network to model the coordination of informal social control in a small group of adaptive agents confronted with a social dilemma. This model incorporates two mechanisms of social influence, informal sanctions and imitation. Both mechanisms vary with the strength of the social tie between source and target. Previous research focused on the effects of social sanctions. Here, we demonstrate a curvilinear effect of imitation on compliance with prosocial norms. Moderate doses of imitation reduce the coordination complexity of self-organized collective action and help the network achieve satisfactory levels of cooperation. High doses, however, undermine the agent-based learning required to find cooperative solutions. Increasing group size also diminishes compliance due to increased complexity, with larger groups requiring more imitation to overcome the coordination problem.

Suggested Citation

  • James A. Kitts & Michael W. Macy & Andreas Flache, 1999. "Structural Learning: Attraction and Conformity in Task-Oriented Groups," Computational and Mathematical Organization Theory, Springer, vol. 5(2), pages 129-145, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:comaot:v:5:y:1999:i:2:d:10.1023_a:1009670804792
    DOI: 10.1023/A:1009670804792
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Jenna Bednar & Aaron Bramson & Andrea Jones-Rooy & Scott Page, 2010. "Emergent cultural signatures and persistent diversity: A model of conformity and consistency," Rationality and Society, , vol. 22(4), pages 407-444, November.
    2. Damon M. Centola, 2013. "Homophily, networks, and critical mass: Solving the start-up problem in large group collective action," Rationality and Society, , vol. 25(1), pages 3-40, February.

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