Dresden 2014 – scientific programme

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SOE: Fachverband Physik sozio-ökonomischer Systeme

SOE 13: Social Systems, Opinion and Group Dynamics

SOE 13.1: Talk

Wednesday, April 2, 2014, 10:15–10:30, GÖR 226

Ignorance is bliss. An agent-based model of the diffusion of norm violation in networks — •Michael Mäs¹ and Karl-Dieter Opp² — ¹ETH Zurich, Switzerland — ²University of Leipzig, Germany

Classical sociological theories assume that individuals will deviate norms more when they learn that there is more norm violation than they expected. Based on this assumption, it has been predicted that norm-violating behavior such as tax evasion and fare dodging increases when a population is informed about the actual rates of norm violation on these dimensions. We challenge this prediction, arguing that there may also be individuals who violated the behavior before the actual rate of norm violation was disclosed. These individuals might have overestimated the rate of norm violation and will start following the norm when they are informed about a relatively low rate of norm violation. These decisions might neutralize the increase in overall norm violation that has been predicted, resulting in a stable crime rate.

To test the logical validity of our criticism, we developed an agent-based model. Agents are represented as nodes in a network and individually estimate the rate of norm violation based on the behavior of their network contacts. Agents violate norms when this estimate exceeds their individual norm acceptance. We studied model dynamics that obtain when the actual rate of norm violation is disclosed. With simulation experiments, we explored the conditions of increasing and decreasing rates of norm violation, focusing on the distribution of norm acceptance in the population and the structure of the social network. We also studied scenarios where norm acceptance is flexible.