Abstract
Group beneficial norms are common in human societies. The persistence of such norms is consistent with evolutionary game theory, but existing models do not provide a plausible explanation for why they are common. We show that when a model of imitation used to derive replicator dynamics in isolated populations is generalized to allow for population structure, group beneficial norms can spread rapidly under plausible conditions. We also show that this mechanism allows recombination of different group beneficial norms arising in different populations.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 287-296 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Journal of Theoretical Biology |
| Volume | 215 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2002 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Agricultural and Biological Sciences(all)
Cite this
Group beneficial norms can spread rapidly in a structured population. / Boyd, Robert; Richerson, Peter J.
In: Journal of Theoretical Biology, Vol. 215, No. 3, 2002, p. 287-296.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Group beneficial norms can spread rapidly in a structured population
AU - Boyd, Robert
AU - Richerson, Peter J.
PY - 2002
Y1 - 2002
N2 - Group beneficial norms are common in human societies. The persistence of such norms is consistent with evolutionary game theory, but existing models do not provide a plausible explanation for why they are common. We show that when a model of imitation used to derive replicator dynamics in isolated populations is generalized to allow for population structure, group beneficial norms can spread rapidly under plausible conditions. We also show that this mechanism allows recombination of different group beneficial norms arising in different populations.
AB - Group beneficial norms are common in human societies. The persistence of such norms is consistent with evolutionary game theory, but existing models do not provide a plausible explanation for why they are common. We show that when a model of imitation used to derive replicator dynamics in isolated populations is generalized to allow for population structure, group beneficial norms can spread rapidly under plausible conditions. We also show that this mechanism allows recombination of different group beneficial norms arising in different populations.
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0036350039&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1006/jtbi.2001.2515
DO - 10.1006/jtbi.2001.2515
M3 - Article
VL - 215
SP - 287
EP - 296
JO - Journal of Theoretical Biology
JF - Journal of Theoretical Biology
SN - 0022-5193
IS - 3
ER -