Simulating large social networks in agent-based models: A social circle model

Abstract

Many social simulations require an underlying model of social networks. However, none of the standard network models fits well with sociological observations of real social networks. Taking the idea of social circles, this paper presents a simple system to create large networks in agent-based models that incorporate key aspects of large social networks such as the differing sizes of personal networks, high clustering, positive assortativity of degree of connectivity, and low density. This social circle model is very flexible and can be used to create a wide variety of artificial social worlds.