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Global Social Interactions with Sequential Binary Decisions: The Case of Marriage, Divorce, and Stigma

Author

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  • Christensen Finn

    (Towson University, fchristensen@towson.edu)

  • Jung Juergen

    (Towson University, jjung@towson.edu)

Abstract

This paper studies global social interactions in a stylized model of marriage and divorce with complementarities across agents. The key point of departure from traditional models of social interactions is that actions are interrelated and sequential. We establish existence and uniqueness results akin to those in traditional models. In contrast to these models, however, we show that the presence of strategic complementarities is no longer sufficient to generate a social multiplier that exceeds one in this environment. Self-fulfilling conformity, whereby a greater desire to conform at the individual level leads to greater homogeneity of choices in the aggregate, is not retained either. Some empirical implications are also discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Christensen Finn & Jung Juergen, 2010. "Global Social Interactions with Sequential Binary Decisions: The Case of Marriage, Divorce, and Stigma," The B.E. Journal of Theoretical Economics, De Gruyter, vol. 10(1), pages 1-37, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:bpj:bejtec:v:10:y:2010:i:1:n:46
    DOI: 10.2202/1935-1704.1652
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Finn Christensen, 2014. "Comparative Statics, Stability, and Uniqueness," Working Papers 2014-02, Towson University, Department of Economics, revised Mar 2015.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    social interactions; social multiplier; self-fulfilling conformity; uniqueness under moderate social influence;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification
    • C72 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Noncooperative Games
    • D62 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Externalities

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