The explanation of social conventions by melioration learning

Abstract

In line with previous research, the evolution of social conventions is explored by n-way coordination games. A convention is said to be established if the decisions of all actors become synchronised over time. In contrast to the earlier studies, an empirically well-grounded process of reinforcement learning is used as behavioural assumption. The model is called melioration learning. It is shown by agent-based simulations that melioration enables the actors to establish a convention. Besides the payoffs of the coordination game, the network structure of interactions affects the actors’ ability to coordinate their choices and the speed of convergence. The results of melioration learning are compared to predictions of the Roth-Erev model.