The interplay between member satisfaction and social influence in shaping group cohesion and migration

This study explores the dynamics of individuals' decisions to leave social groups, focusing on two primary forces: satisfaction within the current group and attraction to other groups, which emerges from shared information about the satisfaction of their members. Satisfaction within a group is defined as the outcome of weighted positive feedback received from interpersonal interactions over time. Individuals store feedback in memory, and recent feedback is weighted higher, leading to satisfaction being dynamically influenced by recent experiences. Hence, satisfaction within a group is shaped by interpersonal interactions, memory, and learning, while attraction to other groups arises from shared knowledge about the satisfaction levels of members in those groups, transmitted through the social network.Using agent-based modeling, we simulate how these forces influence individual behavior, group cohesion, and the formation of broader social patterns. The model examines how individuals weigh their current satisfaction against perceived benefits in other groups, leading to decisions about whether to stay or migrate. Tested across Fully Connected (FC) and Preferential Attachment (PA) network structures, this approach provides insights into the dynamics of group formation and migration, with applications for understanding collective behavior in various social and environmental contexts.