arXiv subjects

Eugenio Vicario

Publications and source records attributed to Eugenio Vicario.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Public Goods Game on Complex Networks: the interplay between conformity and topology

Human cooperation is a phenomenon that has been extensively studied, and to date several explanations have been proposed, from network reciprocity to behavioral mechanisms that incorporate social and cognitive aspects. In this work, we studied the combined effect of conformity and network structure on the evolution of cooperation in the spatial Public Goods Game. By assigning agents different individual sensitivities to payoffs and neighborhood behavior, we explored the cooperative dynamics of this heterogeneous population on both regular and complex topologies. Our results show how the interaction between conformity and the distinctive features of each network can lead to very different outcomes, from the promotion of cooperation in regular topologies to null or negative effects in heterogeneous networks.

econ.TH↗

arXiv2025

Generative Agents and Expectations: Do LLMs Align with Heterogeneous Agent Models?

Results in the Heterogeneous Agent Model (HAM) literature determine the proportion of fundamentalists and trend followers in the financial market. This proportion varies according to the periods analyzed. In this paper, we use a large language model (LLM) to construct a generative agent (GA) that determines the probability of adopting one of the two strategies based on current information. The probabilities of strategy adoption are compared with those in the HAM literature for the S\&P 500 index between 1990 and 2020. Our findings suggest that the resulting artificial intelligence (AI) expectations align with those reported in the HAM literature. At the same time, extending the analysis to artificial market data helps us to filter the decision-making process of the AI agent. In the artificial market, results confirm the heterogeneity in expectations but reveal systematic asymmetry toward the fundamentalist behavior.

econ.GN↗

arXiv2025

Quantifying walkable accessibility to urban services: An application to Florence, Italy

The concept of quality of life in urban settings is increasingly associated to the accessibility of amenities within a short walking distance for residents. However, this narrative still requires thorough empirical investigation to evaluate the practical implications, benefits, and challenges. In this work, we propose a novel methodology for evaluating urban accessibility to services, with an application to the city of Florence, Italy. Our approach involves identifying the accessibility of essential services from residential buildings within a 10-minute walking distance, employing a rigorous spatial analysis process and open-source geospatial data. As a second contribution, we extend the concept of 10-minute accessibility within a network theory framework and apply a clustering algorithm to identify urban communities based on shared access to essential services. Finally, we explore the dimension of functional redundancy. Our proposed metrics represent a step forward towards an accurate assessment of the adherence to the 10-minute city model and offer a valuable tool for place-based policies aimed at addressing spatial disparities in urban development.

econ.GN↗

arXiv2024

AI-powered Chatbots: Effective Communication Styles for Sustainable Development Goals

This paper presents an analysis of two pre-registered experimental studies examining the impact of `Motivational Interviewing' and `Directing Style' on discussions about Sustainable Development Goals. To evaluate the effectiveness of these communication styles in enhancing awareness and motivating action toward the Sustainable Development Goals, we measured the engagement levels of participants, along with their self-reported interest and learning outcomes. Our results indicate that `Motivational Interviewing' is more effective than `Directing Style' for engagement and interest, while no appreciable difference is found on learning.

econ.GN↗

arXiv2022

Assortativity in cognition

In pairwise interactions assortativity in cognition means that pairs where both decision-makers use the same cognitive process are more likely to occur than what happens under random matching. In this paper we study both the mechanisms determining assortativity in cognition and its effects. In particular, we analyze an applied model where assortativity in cognition helps explain the emergence of cooperation and the degree of prosociality of intuition and deliberation, which are the typical cognitive processes postulated by the dual process theory in psychology. Our findings rely on agent-based simulations, but analytical results are also obtained in a special case. We conclude with examples showing that assortativity in cognition can have different implications in terms of its societal desirability.

econ.TH↗