Conflict and segregation in networks: An experiment on the interplay between individual preferences and social influence | Zendy

Lea Ellwardt | Zendy; Penélope Hernández | Zendy; Guillem Martínez-Cánovas | Zendy; Manuel MuñozHerrera | Zendy

Open Access

Conflict and segregation in networks: An experiment on the interplay between individual preferences and social influence

Author(s) -

Lea Ellwardt,

Penélope Hernández,

Guillem Martínez-Cánovas,

Manuel MuñozHerrera

Publication year - 2016

Publication title -

journal of dynamics and games

Language(s) - English

Resource type - Journals

eISSN - 2164-6074

pISSN - 2164-6066

DOI - 10.3934/jdg.2016010

Subject(s) - preference , social psychology , inefficiency , salient , psychology , social preferences , action (physics) , social network (sociolinguistics) , test (biology) , microeconomics , economics , computer science , social media , artificial intelligence , paleontology , physics , quantum mechanics , biology , world wide web

We examine the interplay between a person's individual preference and the social influence others exert. We provide a model of network relationships with conflicting preferences, where individuals are better off coordinating with those around them, but not all prefer the same action. We test our model in an experiment, varying the level of conflicting preferences between individuals. Our findings suggest that preferences are more salient than social influence, under conflicting preferences: subjects relate mainly with others who prefer the same. This leads to two undesirable outcomes: network segregation and social inefficiency. The same force that helps people individually hurts society.

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