Gaming the social system: A game theoretic examination of social influence in risk behaviour

Abstract

In this research we study the effect of social network in risk behaviour. Using an agent-based model based on very simple gametheoretic assumptions, we build a toy model involving donation games over a population. We considered two different variations of a strategy (individually focused and social group focused) and observed drastic differences at the collective level between each. Stable trust patterns were not evolvable in our model with completely social agents. Individuallyoriented agents were required. But when trust patterns were able to form among the group-focused agents, large cliques tended to form, contrary to the individually-oriented agents.