The Library

An analysis of norm emergence in Axelrod's model

Tools

Mahmoud, Samhar, Griffiths, Nathan, Keppens, Jeroen and Luck, Michael (Michael M.) (2010) An analysis of norm emergence in Axelrod's model. In: 8th European Workshop on Multi-Agent Systems, Paris, France, 16-17 Dec 2010 (Unpublished)

Preview

PDF
WRAP_Mahmoud_eumas-2010c.pdf - Published Version - Requires a PDF viewer such as GSview, Xpdf or Adobe Acrobat Reader
Download (600Kb) | Preview

Abstract

Norms are a valuable mechanism for establishing coherent cooperative behaviour in decentralised systems in which no central authority exists. One of the most influential formulations of norm emergence was proposed by Axelrod, who defined a model of norms and metanorms that enables norm establishment in populations of self-interested individuals. This paper provides an empirical analysis of aspects of Axelrod's approach, by exploring some of the key assumptions made in previous evaluations of the model. First, we explore the dynamics of norm emergence and the occurrence of norm collapse when applying the model over extended durations. Second, we investigate in detail the reasons for norm collapse in extended applications of the model and show that both the level of mutation in the population and the precise nature of the reproduction mechanism are significant. Our findings identify characteristics that significantly influence norm establishment using Axelrod's formulation, but are likely to be of importance for norm establishment more generally.

Item Type:

Conference Item (Paper)

Subjects:

Q Science > QA Mathematics > QA76 Electronic computers. Computer science. Computer software

Divisions:

Faculty of Science > Computer Science

Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):

Social norms, Intelligent agents (Computer software)

Official Date:

December 2010

Dates:

Date	Event
December 2010	Available

Status:

Not Peer Reviewed

Publication Status:

Unpublished

Conference Paper Type:

Paper

Title of Event:

8th European Workshop on Multi-Agent Systems

Type of Event:

Conference

Location of Event:

Paris, France

Date(s) of Event:

16-17 Dec 2010

Related URLs:

http://lipade.math-info.univ-paris5.fr/e...

References:

1. R. Axelrod. An evolutionary approach to norms. The American Political Science Review,
80(4):1095–1111, 1986.
2. G. Boella, L. van der Torre, and H. Verhagen. Introduction to normative multiagent systems.
Computational & Mathematical Organization Theory, 12(2-3):71–79, 2006.
3. M. Boman. Norms as constraints on real-time autonomous agent action. In Multi-Agent Rationality:
Proceedings of the Eighth European Workshop on Modelling Autonomous Agents
in a Multi-Agent World, volume 1237 of Lecture Notes in Computer Science, pages 36–44.
Springer, 1997.
4. F. Dignum. Autonomous agents with norms. Artificial Intelligence and Law, 7(1):69–79,
1999.
5. J. M. Epstein. Learning to be thoughtless: Social norms and individual computation. Computational
Economics, 18(1):9–24, 2001.
6. F. Flentge, D. Polani, and T. Uthmann. Modelling the emergence of possession norms using
memes. Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, 4(4), 2001.
7. J. M. Galan and L. R. Izquierdo. Appearances can be deceiving: Lessons learned reimplementing
Axelrod’s evolutionary approach to norms. Journal of Artificial Societies and
Social Simulation, 8(3), 2005.
8. J.P. Gibbs. Norms: The problem of definition and classification. The American Journal of
Sociology, 70(5):586–594, 1965.
9. M. J. Prietula and D. Conway. The evolution of metanorms: quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
Computational and Mathematical Organization Theory, 15(3):147–168, 2009.
10. B. T. R. Savarimuthu, M. Purvis, M. Purvis, and S. Cranefield. Social norm emergence in
virtual agent societies. In M. Baldoni, T. C. Son, M. B. van Riemsdijk, and M. Winikoff,
editors, Declarative Agent Languages and Technologies VI, volume 5397 of Lecture Notes
in Computer Science, pages 18–28. Springer, 2009.
11. D. Villatoro, S. Sen, and J. Sabater-Mir. Topology and memory effect on convention emergence.
In Proceedings of the 2009 IEEE/WIC/ACM International Conference on Web Intelligence
and Intelligent Agent Technologies, pages 233–240. IEEE, 2009.
12. F. Lopez y Lopez and M. Luck. Modelling norms for autonomous agents. In E. Chavez,
J. Favela, M. Meja, and A. Oliart, editors, Proceedings of The Fourth Mexican Conference
on Computer Science, pages 238–245. IEEE Computer Society, 2003.
13. T. Yamashita, K. Izumi, and K. Kurumatani. An investigation into the use of group dynamics
for solving social dilemmas. In P. Davidsson, B. Logan, and K. Takadama, editors,
Multi-Agent and Multi-Agent-Based Simulation, volume 3415 of Lecture Notes in Artificial
Intelligence, pages 185–194. Springer, 2005.