Testing the Logical Validity of the Concept of Relational Mobility Through Agent-Based Computer Simulations

Recently, the role of relational mobility, which refers to the amount of opportunities in interpersonal relationships to select new partners in a given society (Yuki, et al., 2007), has received significant attention. Many studies have provided strong empirical evidence for a relationship between relational mobility and a host of social and personal outcomes. However there seems to be confusion about the concept of relational mobility in regards to the issue of opportunity. In this study, we examined the logical validity of the concept of relational mobility using a series of agent-based computer simulations. The results of our simulation showed that opportunity does not always correspond to the actual state of mobility and the former could be better explanation for the findings that friends are more similar in societies with high relational mobility (Schug et al. 2009), thus we argue that the emphasis in relational mobility placed on opportunity is valid.*******(Alternative Presentation Type: )*******

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Shuhei Tsuchida, Hokkaido University, Japan
Masaki Yuki, Hokkaido University, Japan
Masanori Takezawa, Hokkaido University, Japan