Behavioral differences and the evolution of cooperation in adaptive social networks

Cooperation is essential in every society, but puzzling from an evolutionary perspective. Here, we discuss the work published in [11], where we address the role of behavioral differences — ubiquitous among Humans — in the evolution of cooperation. We study a model in which individuals interact along the edges of a complex network, engaging in social dilemmas of cooperation. The structure of the network changes in time, as new interactions arise whereas old ones disappear. Interactions may last long or brief, depending on the behavior of the individuals involved. When dissatisfied about a partner, some will try to break contact as soon as possible, whereas others will remain in touch. We adopt the framework of evolutionary game theory (EGT) and show how diversity in response to unwanted social interactions boosts cooperation. Moreover, diversity remains once cooperation sets in, providing the means to establish cooperation as a robust evolutionary strategy.