Citation
Mele, Angelo (2010). Segregation in social networks: A structural approach.
2010 Add Health Users Conference. Bethesda, MD.
Abstract
I develop a dynamic heterogeneous agents model of strategic network formation, where a matching technology and preferences for same-type individuals drive the dynamics of friendship. The model converges to a unique stationary distribution that is structurally estimated using Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods and stochastic approximation techniques. I use data from the restricted version of Add Health, a representative survey of US high schools containing detailed data on the actual friendship network of each student. Results show that the tendency to create links to individuals of the same racial group is pervasive. However, I find that a certain degree of heterogeneity in mutual and indirect friends increases utility of the agents. I use the model to simulate policies whose goal is to increase the degree of interracial contact. I simulate a busing program that transports minority students to a school where the majority is white. The simulations show that these policies decrease students' welfare in the new stationary equilibrium.
URL
https://addhealth.cpc.unc.edu/wp-content/uploads/docs/news/FINAL%202010%20Add%20Health%20Users%20Conference%20Abstracts.pdfReference Type
Conference proceeding
Book Title
2010 Add Health Users Conference
Author(s)
Mele, Angelo
Year Published
2010
City of Publication
Bethesda, MD
Reference ID
6284