Doctoral Dissertation Research: Collective Action and Social Networks in a Peruvian Community

博士生 Henry Lyle（华盛顿大学）在 Eric A. Smith 博士和 Donna Leonetti 博士的指导下，将研究社交网络、集体行动、搭便车和声誉之间的关系。 在这种情况下，搭便车是指承担的公共物品生产成本低于自己应得的份额。 这项研究将揭示个人的合作行为如何在当地得到促进，以及这种行为如何持续存在或被各种背景因素破坏。这项研究将在秘鲁高地进行，这是一个突显合作行为重要性的极端环境。秘鲁安第斯山脉的土著人民有着悠久的政治和经济边缘化历史。这段历史与高海拔压力因素（例如生态系统生产力低下）相结合，使家庭难以确保持续充足的食物供应并保持良好的健康。应对食物摄入变化和疾病或受伤事件的一种重要方法涉及家庭之间的交流网络。这项研究旨在更好地了解一个人在这些至关重要的社交网络中的地位是如何建立和维持的；社会声誉（通过帮助社区项目获得）在此过程中发挥的作用；那些过度贡献（即帮助社区项目，即使其他人没有尽自己的一份力量）是否是因为以后的利益而这样做。研究人员将通过各种研究方法收集定性和定量数据，包括：人口普查、半结构化访谈、通过焦点扫描的时间分配观察以及社区任务中的参与者观察。还将收集有关参与社区项目的声誉、社区项目的时间分配以及家庭间食品、劳动力和医疗援助交换的数据。分析将利用多元回归和社交网络分析方法，包括指数随机图模型。这项研究很重要，因为合作行为是人类适应策略的重要组成部分。它将社交网络动态的前沿分析与慷慨和声誉数据联系起来在理论上具有创新性。该项目还具有改善公共事业运作的实际应用，例如至关重要的灌溉和其他资源管理系统。资助这项研究还支持研究生的教育。

Doctoral student Henry Lyle (University of Washington), supervised by Dr. Eric A. Smith and Dr. Donna Leonetti, will undertake research on the relationship among social networks, collective action, free-riding, and reputation. Free-riding in this context refers to shouldering less than one's fair share of the cost of production of a public good. This study will shed light on how cooperative behaviors of individuals are promoted locally, and how such behaviors may persist or be undermined by a variety of contextual factors.The research will be carried out in highland Peru, an extreme environment that highlights the significance of cooperative behavior. The indigenous people of the Peruvian Andes have a long history of political and economic marginalization. This history combines with high altitude stressors, such as low ecosystem productivity, to make it difficult for families to assure a consistent and adequate supply of food and maintain good health. One important method of coping with variability in food intake and with episodes of illness or injury involves exchange networks among households. This research aims to better understand how one's standing in these critically important social networks is established and maintained; the role that social reputation (achieved from helping with community projects) plays in this process; and whether those who over-contribute (that is, help out with community projects even if others fail to do their part) do so because of later benefits.The researcher will collect both qualitative and quantitative data through a variety of research methodologies, including: demographic censuses, semi-structured interviews, time allocation observations via focal scans, and participant observation in community tasks. Data also will be gathered on reputation for participating in community projects, time allocation to community projects, and inter-household exchanges of food, labor, and medical aid. Analyses will utilize multiple regression and social network analytical methods including exonential random graph models.This research is important because cooperative behavior is an essential part of human adapative strategies. It is theoretically innovative in linking cutting edge analysis of social network dynamics with data on generosity and reputation. The project also has practicial applications to improving the functioning of communal undertakings, such as all-important irrigation and other resource management systems. Funding this research also supports the education of a graduate student.