A World of Traits: An Analysis of Computer-Simulated Trait-Based Social Networks

Abstract

This paper is a detailed description of my work on a project of computer modeling of trait-based social networks. The research was undertaken under the supervision of Dr. Jan Tobochnik, chair of the Physics Department at Kalamazoo College. The project and this paper constitute my Senior Individualized Project (SIP) for Kalamazoo College. I was involved in this project almost from its beginning, and the research has since evolved in several different directions of which my paper represents only one. The paper is set up as follows. Following some background information on networks, our network model and its differences from previously existing models are described. Then, the majority ofthe paper is an examination of our simulated networks' various properties, along with descriptions of how the simulator was used to reveal these properties. The conclusion section considers the overall significance of the project and possible avenues for further study.