Modeling Marginalization: Emergence, Social Physics, and Social Ethics of Bullying

Abstract

In this paper, we outline the construction and initial simulation experiment results of the Marginalization model (MARG). We experiment under different group parameters because the theoretical paradigm we follow views bullying as a result of social processes. Our primary research question explores the possibility of bullying emergence as agents select interaction partners in a university setting. Based on the simulated process, our results take indications of the stress of marginalization in a student group as a proxy for emergent marginalization. MARG simulates two types of interactions between pairs of students: forced and hang-out interactions. In the latter, students decide whether to interact based on individual preferences formed by social norms and individual tolerance related to those norms. The emergence of intensified marginalization from MARG processes leads to some ethical considerations and provides ground for discussions concerning suitable interventions.