Learning dynamics and norm psychology supports human cooperation in a large-scale prisoner's dilemma on networks

In this work, we explore the role of learning dynamics and social norms in human cooperation on networks. We study the model recently introduced in [Physical Review E, 97, 042321 (2018)] that integrates the well-studied Experience Weighted Attraction learning model with some features characterizing...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Games 2018, Vol.9 (4), p.1-14
Main Authors: Realpe-Gómez, John, Vilone, Daniele, Andrighetto, Giulia, Nardin, Luis G, Montoya Zegarra, Javier Alexander
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal cognition
Attraction
computer simulations
Conformity
Cooperation
Dynamic structural analysis
Game theory
Interactive learning
Iterative methods
laboratory experiments
Learning
learning mechanisms
network reciprocity
Norms
Psychology
Social norms
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Summary:In this work, we explore the role of learning dynamics and social norms in human cooperation on networks. We study the model recently introduced in [Physical Review E, 97, 042321 (2018)] that integrates the well-studied Experience Weighted Attraction learning model with some features characterizing human norm psychology, namely the set of cognitive abilities humans have evolved to deal with social norms. We provide further evidence that this extended model-that we refer to as Experience Weighted Attraction with Norm Psychology-closely reproduces cooperative patterns of behavior observed in large-scale experiments with humans. In particular, we provide additional support for the finding that, when deciding to cooperate, humans balance between the choice that returns higher payoffs with the choice in agreement with social norms. In our experiment, agents play a prisoner's dilemma game on various network structures: (i) a static lattice where agents have a fixed position; (ii) a regular random network where agents have a fixed position; and (iii) a dynamic lattice where agents are randomly re-positioned at each game iteration. Our results show that the network structure does not affect the dynamics of cooperation, which corroborates results of prior laboratory experiments. However, the network structure does seem to affect how individuals balance between their self-interested and normative choices.
ISSN:2073-4336
2073-4336
DOI:10.3390/g9040090