Networks of reliable reputations and cooperation: a review

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. This article is part of the theme issue ‘The language of cooperation: reputation and honest signalling’.

Evaluating mechanisms that could support credible reputations and cooperation: cross-checking and social bonding

“…R. Soc. B 376: 20200302 perspective of the social network structure and the position of relevant individuals within (see [89] for review, [90]).…”

Reputation and socio-ecology in humans

“…Similarly, theoretical and experimental studies that manipulate the density of social networks (i.e. the number of connections among individuals within a network) found that denser networks facilitate the spread of information and increase the degree to which certain actions can be observed by others [48,49]. This in turn makes reputation systems (e.g.…”

The language of cooperation: reputation and honest signalling

“…Prisoner's Dilemma, Snowdrift game, [21,[109][110][111][112]; see for reviews: [113,114]), this issue has received less attention in the study of reputation systems. Takács et al [115] review how the structure and dynamics of interactions help or prevent the establishment and sustainability of reputation-based cooperation. They review both theoretical and empirical work on how fixed topologies and co-evolving networks can facilitate cooperation, how reputations are formed if interactions take place in a social network, and how these mechanisms impact cooperation in small-and large-scale societies.…”