We investigate the development of cooperative behavior in networks over time. In our controlled laboratory experiment, subjects can cooperate by sending costly messages that contain valuable information for the receiver or other subjects in the network. Any message sent can increase the chance that subjects find the information they are looking for and consequently their profit. We find that cooperation emerges spontaneously and remains stable over time. In an additional treatment, we provide a non-binding suggestion about who to contact at the beginning of the experiment. We find that subjects partially follow our recommendation, and this increases their own and others’ profit. Despite the removal of suggestions, subjects build long-lasting relationships with the suggested contacts.
Jensen G.G., Busch M.B., Piovesan M. and Haerter J.O. (2023) Nudging cooperation among agents in an experimental social network. Applied Network Science 8(1). 10.1007/s41109-023-00588-x
@article{Jensen2023,
Title = {Nudging cooperation among agents in an experimental social network},
Author = {Jensen, Gorm Gruner and Busch, Martin Benedikt and Piovesan, Marco and Haerter, Jan O.},
Editor = {},
Journal = {Applied Network Science},
Year = {2023},
Volume = {8},
Doi = {10.1007/s41109-023-00588-x},
Abstract = {We investigate the development of cooperative behavior in networks over time. In our controlled laboratory experiment, subjects can cooperate by sending costly messages that contain valuable information for the receiver or other subjects in the network. Any message sent can increase the chance that subjects find the information they are looking for and consequently their profit. We find that cooperation emerges spontaneously and remains stable over time. In an additional treatment, we provide a non-binding suggestion about who to contact at the beginning of the experiment. We find that subjects partially follow our recommendation, and this increases their own and others’ profit. Despite the removal of suggestions, subjects build long-lasting relationships with the suggested contacts.},
}
TY - JOUR
AU - Jensen, Gorm Gruner
AU - Busch, Martin Benedikt
AU - Piovesan, Marco
AU - Haerter, Jan O.
TI - Nudging cooperation among agents in an experimental social network
T2 - Applied Network Science
PY - 2023
VL - 8
DO - 10.1007/s41109-023-00588-x
AB - We investigate the development of cooperative behavior in networks over time. In our controlled laboratory experiment, subjects can cooperate by sending costly messages that contain valuable information for the receiver or other subjects in the network. Any message sent can increase the chance that subjects find the information they are looking for and consequently their profit. We find that cooperation emerges spontaneously and remains stable over time. In an additional treatment, we provide a non-binding suggestion about who to contact at the beginning of the experiment. We find that subjects partially follow our recommendation, and this increases their own and others’ profit. Despite the removal of suggestions, subjects build long-lasting relationships with the suggested contacts.
ER -
