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，将对社会网络、集体行动、搭便车和声誉之间的关系进行研究。在这种情况下，搭便车是指在公共产品的生产成本中承担的份额低于公平份额。这项研究将揭示个体的合作行为是如何在局部得到促进的，以及这种行为是如何被各种环境因素持续或破坏的。这项研究将在秘鲁高地进行，这是一个极端的环境，突显了合作行为的重要性。秘鲁安第斯山脉的土著人民有着长期的政治和经济边缘化的历史。这一历史与高海拔压力因素（如生态系统生产力低下）相结合，使家庭难以确保持续和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个重要方法是家庭之间的交换网络。这项研究旨在更好地理解一个人在这些至关重要的社会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）在这一过程中所起的作用；那些过度贡献的人（也就是说，即使其他人没有尽到自己的职责，他们也会帮助社区项目）这样做是否因为后来的好处。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，以及社区任务的参与者观察。此外，还将收集参与社区事业的名誉、参与社区事业的时间分配、家庭间食物、劳动、医疗援助的交换等资料。分析将利用多元回归和社会网络分析方法，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。在将社会网络动态的前沿分析与慷慨度和声誉数据联系起来方面，它在理论上具有创新性。该项目还实际应用于改善公共事业的运作，例如非常重要的灌溉和其他资源管理系统。资助这项研究也支持了研究生的教育。

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.