Agent-Based Computational Sociology

Flaminio Squazzoni, Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Economics, University of Brescia, Italy

“This book should be inserted into all sociological libraries as a vanguard for the rest of us - if it not torn to shreds byenraged sociologists it will very usefully inform them. Newcomers to ABM and even old hands, but especially those who have to survive within sociology, will find it a very valuable asset.”  (Journal of Artificial Societies andSocial Simulation, 1 January 2013)

• Preface ix1 What is agent-based computational sociology all about? 11.1 Predecessors and fathers 31.2 The main ideas of agent-based computational sociology 91.2.1 The primacy of models 91.2.2 The generative approach 111.2.3 The micro–macro link 131.2.4 Process and change 151.2.5 The unexcluded middle 161.2.6 Trans-disciplinarity 171.3 What are ABMs? 181.4 A classification of ABM use in social research 20References 262 Cooperation, coordination and social norms 332.1 Direct reciprocity and the persistence of interaction 362.2 Strong reciprocity and social sanctions 422.3 Disproportionate prior exposure 492.4 Partner selection 542.5 Reputation 622.6 The emergence of conventions 69References 783 Social influence 853.1 Segregation dynamics 883.2 Threshold behavior and opinions 973.3 Culture dynamics and diversity 1033.4 Social reflexivity 109References 1224 The methodology 1314.1 The method 1344.2 Replication 1404.2.1 The querelle about segregation 1444.2.2 The querelle about trust and mobility 1474.3 Multi-level empirical validation 151References 1595 Conclusions 165References 172Appendix A 175A. 1 Research centers 175A. 2 Scientific associations 177A. 3 Journals 178A. 4 Simulation tools 179References 179Appendix B 181B. 1 Example I: Partner selection and dynamic networks (Boero, Bravo and Squazzoni 2010) 182B. 2 Example II: Reputation (Boero et al. 2010) 211References 234Index 235