Networks of reliable reputations and cooperation: a review

Takacs, K., Gross, J., Testori, M., Letina, S., Kenny, A. R., Power, E. A. and Wittek, R. P. M. (2021) Networks of reliable reputations and cooperation: a review. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 376(1838), 20200297. (doi: 10.1098/rstb.2020.0297)

Abstract

Reputation has been shown to provide an informal solution to the problem of cooperation in human societies. After reviewing models that connect reputations and cooperation, we address how reputation results from information exchange embedded in a social network that changes endogenously itself. Theoretical studies highlight that network topologies have different effects on the extent of cooperation, since they can foster or hinder the flow of reputational information. Subsequently, we review models and empirical studies that intend to grasp the coevolution of reputations, cooperation and social networks. We identify open questions in the literature concerning how networks affect the accuracy of reputations, the honesty of shared information and the spread of reputational information. Certain network topologies may facilitate biased beliefs and intergroup competition or in-group identity formation that could lead to high cooperation within but conflicts between different subgroups of a network. Our review covers theoretical, experimental and field studies across various disciplines that target these questions and could explain how the dynamics of interactions and reputations help or prevent the establishment and sustainability of cooperation in small- and large-scale societies.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: Participation at the workshop 'The language of cooperation: reputation and honest signaling' was facilitated by the Lorentz Center. K.T. and S.L. received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union's research and innovation programme (grant agreement no. 648693). K.T. is supported by the National Research, Development and Innovation Office - NKFIH (OTKA) grant K132250. R.P.M.W.’s contribution is part of the research programme Sustainable Cooperation-Roadmaps to Resilient Societies (SCOOP), funded by the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) and the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) in the context of its 2017 Gravitation programme (grant number 024.003.025).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Letina, Dr Srebrenka
• Authors: Takacs, K., Gross, J., Testori, M., Letina, S., Kenny, A. R., Power, E. A., and Wittek, R. P. M.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU
• Journal Name: Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
• Publisher: The Royal Society
• ISSN: 0962-8436
• ISSN (Online): 1471-2970
• Published Online: 04 October 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 376(1838):20200297
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License