Social exchange model in triads of agents using trust, reputation and social dependence

Abstract

This article proposes a scene where the agents interact among them to exchange services that, after being done, are evaluated by the participants creating the concept of value of the exchanges. The theory developed by Piaget proposes a social exchange model between two agents. This work proposes the addition of a new one, called intermediary agent, which in the same exchange acts as provider and receiver of a service. This way, the basic model proposed by Piaget, where the social exchanges are made among three agents, can be complemented.

To keep the social exchanges process continuity, it is necessary to ensure the future exchanges existence and the correct partner choice. For this, it is necessary to get the information of the values happening during the process, the information of the agents related to the reputation of each of the participants and the social dependency level among them. These criteria are used to orient the agents decision over their partners, getting a target to the confidence transfer process analysis among the agents. For the same reason, the confidence and reputation level knowledge involved in the exchanges process promotes more secure dependency relationships among the agents and credibility, making future interactions possible.