Popularity or proclivity? Revisiting agent heterogeneity in network formation

Agent-based modeling (ABM) approach is used to reassess the Barabasi-Albert (BA) model, the classical algorithm used to describe the emergent mechanism of scale-free networks. This approach allows for the incorporation of agent heterogeneity which is rarely considered in BA model and its extended models. The authors argue that, in social networks, people´s intention to connect is not only affected by popularity, but also strongly affected by the extent of similarity. The authors propose that in forming social networks, agents are constantly balancing between instrumental and intrinsic preferences. The proposed model allows for varying the weighting of instrumental and intrinsic preferences on the agents attachment choices. The authors also find that changing preferences of individuals can lead to significant deviations from power-law degree distribution. Given the importance of intrinsic consideration in social networking, the findings emerged from this study is conducive to future studies of social networks.