A Dynamic, Multi-Agent Model of Peer Group Formation

A computational model of the formation of peer groups in children is presented. We used standard sociometric measurements (the CDC classification of Popular, Rejected, Neglected, and Controversial individuals) to compare the model to empirical data. The model fit this data well in terms of category distributions and stability, even without introducing individual differences. When individual differences were added, the model went on to accurately predict a separate set of empirical results. Furthermore, patterns arose in the results which suggested an underlying relationship between certain types of individual differences.