Modeling the dynamics of social exchange in groups with reinforcement learning and Theory of Mind
Zhang, S.; Wang, H.; Mendoza, R. B.
Show abstract
Resource sharing is a fundamental form of social exchange underlying the formation and maintenance of social bonds in humans and other species. While reciprocity has long been proposed as a key mechanism in group interactions, the dynamic processes underlying resource allocation remain poorly understood. In this study, we employed computational modeling to investigate the temporal dynamics of resource sharing in a novel group decision-making task across three experiments. We found that, beyond the well-documented reciprocity, participants exhibited consistent alternating behavior, characterized by the switching between potential recipients. This alternation was not driven by fairness concerns but reflected a strategic balance between maintaining stable partnerships and exploring alternatives. Crucially, a reinforcement learning model incorporating Theory of Mind (ToM) consistently outperformed all alternative models. These findings highlight the critical role of ToM in social decision-making and suggest that mentalizing others intentions may be essential for effective resource sharing and social bond formation.
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