The Effects of Information and Interactions on Contagion Processes

The network literature commonly neglects the importance of a clear distinction between interactions and information exchanges. Although convenient, this oversight is not innocuous and may lead to erroneous conclusions when looking at mechanisms such as contagion processes. We use simulation methods and conduct a systematic analysis of the implications of such omission. We show that the lack of distinction between information and interaction structures is not without consequences. More precisely, when agents use a myopic best response, only information exchanges matter and interactions can be ignored. With imitation however, both information and interactions play important yet different roles in contagion.