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Capturing Social Embeddedness: A Constructivist Approach

Centre for Policy Modeling, Manchester Metropolitan University

A constructivist approach is applied to characterizing social embeddedness. Social embeddedness is intended as a strong type of social situatedness. It is defined as the extent to which modeling the behavior of an agent requires the inclusion of other agents as individuals rather than as an undif ferentiated whole. Possible consequences of the presence of social embedding and ways to check for it are discussed. A model of co-developing agents is exhibited which demonstrates the possi bility of social embedding. This is an extension of Brian Arthur's 'El Farol Bar' model, with added learning and communication. Some indicators of social embedding are analyzed and some possi ble causes of social embedding are discussed. It is suggested that social embeddedness may be an explanation of the causal link between the social situatedness of the agent and it employing a con structivist strategy in its modeling.

Key Words: Cultural evolution • gene/culture co-evolution • social learning • genetic algorithm.

Adaptive Behavior, Vol. 7, No. 3-4, 323-347 (1999)
DOI: 10.1177/105971239900700307


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