E-Books are also available on all known E-Book shops.
Short description This book presents researchers and graduate students in agent-based modeling with an introduction to agent-based computational sociology and its scientific applications. It focuses on marking the difference between what is intended for sociology as a science and what is not. The text explores agent-based models in combining quantification and quality generalization and specification, as well as micro- and macro levels of analysis. Featuring numerous examples, the text reveals how to pose an agent-based research question, identify the model building blocks, and validate simulation results.
From the contents 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
