The effects of social interactions on fertility decline in nineteenth-century France

An agent-based simulation experiment

Dados Bibliográficos

ID4959183
AutoresSandra Gonzalez-Bailon (0000-0002-8372-798X, University of Oxford), Terrence E Murphy (0000-0002-9687-8998, Bocconi University, autor correspondente), Tommy E Murphy (b Bocconi University)
Ano2013
Volume67
Fascículo2
Páginas135-155
Data de publicação2013-07-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessNão
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoPopulation Studies (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0032-4728 • E-ISSN: 1477-4747
EditoraInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/00324728.2013.774435
PMID23530664
OpenAlexW1966808359
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas28
Referências citadas62

We built an agent-based simulation, incorporating geographic and demographic data from nineteenth-century France, to study the role of social interactions in fertility decisions. The simulation made experimentation possible in a context where other empirical strategies were precluded by a lack of data. We evaluated how different decision rules, with and without interdependent decision-making, caused variations in population growth and fertility levels. The analyses show that incorporating social influence into the model allows empirically observed behaviour to be mimicked, especially at a national level. These findings shed light on individual-level mechanisms through which the French demographic transition may have developed

Archaeology · Context (archaeology) · Demographic transition · Fertility · Geography · Interdependence · Population · Social science · Sociology · Culture, Economy, and Development Studies · Demography · Family Dynamics and Relationships · Historical Economic and Social Studies