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Peer Effects and Peer Avoidance: The Diffusion of Behavior in Coevolving Networks

Author

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  • Constanza Fosco
  • Matteo Marsili
  • Fernando Vega-Redondo

Abstract

We study the long-run emergence of behavioral patterns in dynamic complex networks. Individuals can display two kinds of behavior: G ("good" ) or B ("bad" ). We assume that the exposure of a G agent to bad behavior on the part of peers/neighbors triggers her own switch to B behavior, but only temporarily. We model the implications of such peer effects as an epidemic process in the standard SIS (Susceptible-Infected-Susceptible) framework. The key novelty of our model is that, unlike in the received literature, the network is taken to change over time within the same time scale as behavior. Specifically, we posit that links connecting two G agents last longer, reflecting the idea that B agents tend to be avoided. The main concern of the paper is to understand the extent to which such biased network turnover may play a significant role in supporting G behavior in a social system. And indeed we find that network coevolution has nontrivial and interesting effects on long-run behavior. This yields fresh insights on the role of (endogenous) peer pressure on the diffusion of social behavior and also has some bearing on the traditional study of disease epidemics. (JEL: C71, D83, D85) (c) 2010 by the European Economic Association.

Suggested Citation

  • Constanza Fosco & Matteo Marsili & Fernando Vega-Redondo, 2010. "Peer Effects and Peer Avoidance: The Diffusion of Behavior in Coevolving Networks," Journal of the European Economic Association, MIT Press, vol. 8(1), pages 169-202, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:tpr:jeurec:v:8:y:2010:i:1:p:169-202
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Fosco, Constanza & Mengel, Friederike, 2011. "Cooperation through imitation and exclusion in networks," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 35(5), pages 641-658, May.
    2. Ennio Bilancini & Leonardo Boncinelli & Paolo Pin & Simon Weidenholzer, 2022. "Preface: DGAA Focused Issue on Dynamic Games and Social Networks," Dynamic Games and Applications, Springer, vol. 12(4), pages 1043-1045, December.
    3. Tarbush, Bassel & Teytelboym, Alexander, 2017. "Social groups and social network formation," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 286-312.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C71 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Cooperative Games
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • D85 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Network Formation

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