Interaction Models: Specification and Interpretation

Interaction Models explain that human behavior is conditional, influenced by expectations and rules constructed by institutions and culture. This book provides an overview of how interaction models capture this intuition and addresses common errors in specification and interpretation, demonstrating their usefulness in testing theoretically-derived claims of conditionality across social and natural sciences.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 150 pages
Publication date: 16 November 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The profound interconnectedness between individuals who coexist forms the foundation of virtually all human behavior. The behavior of each individual is shaped by the expectations held by those around them, and these expectations, in turn, are influenced by the rules and norms established to govern, reward, and punish diverse behaviors. Consequently, nearly all theories about humans acquire a conditional nature, contingent upon the resources they possess, the institutions they inhabit, or the cultural practices that guide their behavior.

To elucidate the essence of conditional claims and context dependence, Interaction Models serves as a standalone and accessible guide. It delves into the mechanisms employed by interaction models, which are widely employed across social and natural sciences, to capture the intuition underlying such claims. Furthermore, the book addresses the prevalent errors in simple specification and interpretation, which, regrettably, are all too common. By offering a comprehensive and unified introduction to the utilization and critical evaluation of interaction models, this text demonstrates how they can be employed to test theoretically derived assertions of conditionality.

The interdependence between humans creates a complex web of influences that shape our actions and decisions. Understanding the interplay between these factors is crucial for developing a comprehensive understanding of human behavior. By exploring the role of interaction models in capturing the intuition behind conditional claims and context dependence, this book provides valuable insights into how we can use these models to test theoretical assertions of conditionality. Through its comprehensive and unified approach, Interaction Models offers a valuable resource for scholars and researchers seeking to deepen their understanding of human behavior and its conditional nature.

ISBN-13: 9781108404082