Károly Takács

Professor

My research interest are the theoretical, experimental and empirical analysis of the dynamics of social networks in relation to problems of cooperation and conflict. I am the running an ERC Consolidator Grant about the role of gossip and reputations.

Short presentation

I received my Ph.D. from the University of Groningen / ICS in 2002. I was an Assistant and later an Associate Professor at the Corvinus University of Budapest, Institute of Sociology and Social Policy till 2019. I spent time at the Collegium Budapest and at the Netherlands Institute for Advanced Studies. I was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Groningen / ICS and a Marie Curie Fellow at the University of Brescia, GECS Research Group on Experimental and Computational Sociology.

I founded and led the Research Center for Educational and Network Studies (RECENS) at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. I received the “Lendület” grant of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences in 2012 on the dynamics of negative ties.

My main publications appeared in Advances in Complex Systems, Frontiers in Sociology, Journal of Applied Mathematics, JASSS, Journal of Conflict Resolution, Journal of Early Adolescence, Journal of Research on Adolescence, Journal of Theoretical Biology, Organization Science, Physica A, PLOS One, Research Policy, Scientific Reports, Scientometrics, Social Networks, and Social Psychology Quarterly.

Research

EVILTONGUE: No Sword Bites So Fiercly as an Evil Tongue? Gossip Wrecks Reputation, but Enhances Cooperation

Social norms in general and norms of cooperation in particular, are the cement of social order in all human societies. The maintenance and enforcement of social norms and of cooperation, however, is not easy as there are tempting individual incentives for norm violations and free riding on the effort of others. In order to manage norms and cooperation, humans have developed institutional as well as informal solutions.

Reputation mechanisms and informal communication about others behind their back (gossip) are certainly among the most important informal management tools. This is puzzling, because according to common wisdom, gossip channels mainly negative and often fictitious information. If it is the case: how can gossip legitimize social order and promote cooperation?

We tackle this puzzle in this project exploiting a wide set of instruments in various environments. We use analytical modeling and agent-based simulation to derive hypotheses and test the consistency of the connection between micro mechanisms and group level outcomes. We test simple hypotheses in small group experiments. We use cutting-edge methodological tools to appropriately analyze the triadic nature of gossip embedded in network flows of information. We utilize dynamic network datasets from primary and secondary school classes, and we gather qualitative and quantitative information from organizations to test conditional hypotheses about the role that gossip plays in reputation and cooperation in different developmental and social contexts of life.

In addition, we apply new communication technologies to explore the hidden world of gossip and the dynamics of reputation in university dormitories. We build and explore a large corpus of spontaneous informal speech for its content in relation to gossip, reputational structure, norms, and cooperation. With the insights gained, we overcome common stereotypes about gossip and highlight how gossip is related to credible reputational signals, cooperation, and social order.

Expected results will help us to outline the conditions that can promote cooperation, and they will help to construct successful prevention strategies for social exclusion and for other potentially harmful consequences of the evil tongue.

Eviltongue

According to common wisdom, gossip channels mainly negative and often fictitious information. If it is the case: how can dishonest gossip and the resulting biased reputations legitimize social order and promote cooperation?

Academic works

Representative publications

Takács, K. 2022. A Reputation-Centered Theory of Human Cooperation and Social Organization. Sociologica, 16(2): 11-51. https://doi.org/10.6092/issn.1971-8853/14196

Stadtfeld, C., Takács, K., and Vörös, A. 2020. The Emergence and Stability of Groups in Social Networks. Social Networks, 60: 129-145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socnet.2019.10.008.

Takács K. 2002. Social Networks and Intergroup Conflict. ICS Dissertation Series, Groningen. ISBN 90-367-1610-1. http://www.rug.nl/research/portal/en/publications/social-networks-and-intergroup-conflict(d518685a-7f68-4f4f-8f1d-f09f710972de).html

Often cited academic works

Mäs, M., Flache, A., Takács, K., and Jehn, K. A. 2013. In the Short Term We Divide, in the Long Term We Unite: Demographic Crisscrossing and the Effects of Faultlines on Subgroup Polarization. Organization Science, 24: 716-736.

Takács, K., Flache, A., and Mäs, M. 2016. Discrepancy and Disliking Do Not Induce Negative Opinion Shifts. PLOS One, 11(6): e0157948. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0157948

Squazzoni, F., Bravo, G., and Takács, K. 2013. Does Incentive Provision Increase the Quality of Peer Review? An Experimental Study. Research Policy, 42(1): 287-294.

Representative book contributions

• Kisfalusi, D.; Takács, K., and Pál, J. 2019. Gossip and Reputation in Adolescent Networks. In: Giardini, F. and Wittek, R.P.M. (eds.): Oxford Handbook on Gossip and Reputation, Oxford University Press, 359-379. https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-oxford-handbook-of-gossip-and-reputation-9780190494087?cc=us&lang=en&#

• Righi, S. and Takács, K. 2017. Parallel versus Sequential Update and the Evolution of Cooperation with the Assistance of Emotional Strategies. In: Cordier, S., Ertur, C., Debarsy, N., Lucas, D., Nemo, F., Poisson, G., and Vrain, C. (eds.): Understanding Interactions in Complex Systems: Toward a Science of Interaction, Cambridge Scholars Publishing. 65-86. http://www.cambridgescholars.com/understanding-interactions-in-complex-systems

• Takács, K., Squazzoni, F., Bravo, G., and Castellani, M. 2014. Employer Networks, Priming, and Discrimination in Hiring: An Experiment. In: Manzo, G. (ed.): Analytical Sociology: Norms, Actions, and Networks. Wiley & Son, 373-396.

Key publications

Pethes, R., Bodor-Eranus, E., Takács, K., and Kovács, L. 2024. The core might change anyhow we define it: the instability of key actors in longitudinal social network data. Complexity, 3956877, https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/3956877.

Radó, M.K., Kisfalusi, D., Laverty, A.A., van Lenthe, F.J., Been, J.V., and Takács, K. 2024. Socioeconomic inequalities in smoking and drinking in adolescence: assessment of social network dynamics. Addiction, 119(3): 488-498.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37994195/

Pancotto, F., Righi, S., and Takács, K. 2023. Voluntary play increases cooperation in the presence of punishment: A lab in the field experiment. Theory and Decision, 95, 405-428.https://doi.org/10.1007/s11238-023-09929-9

Pápay, B.T., Kubik, B.Gy., Galántai, J., and Takács, K. 2022. Gossip is distinct from other topics in spontaneous conversation. Intersections EEJSP 8(4), 149-178. https://doi.org/10.17356/ieejsp.v8i4.939

Takács, K. 2022. A Reputation-Centered Theory of Human Cooperation and Social Organization. Sociologica, 16(2): 11-51.https://doi.org/10.6092/issn.1971-8853/14196

Számadó, Sz., Samu, F., and Takács, K. 2022. Condition-dependent trade-offs maintain honest signalling. Royal Society Open Science, 9(10): 220335. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.220335 .

Estévez, J.L. and Takács, K. 2022. Brokering or Sitting Between Two Chairs? A Group Perspective on Workplace Gossip. Frontiers in Psychology, 13: 815383. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.815383.

Righi, S. and Takács, K. 2022. Gossip: Perspective Taking to Establish Cooperation. Dynamic Games and Applications. 12: 1086-1100.https://doi.org/10.1007/s13235-022-00440-4.

Estévez, J.L., Kisfalusi, D., and Takács, K. 2022. More than One’s Negative Ties: The Role of Friends’ Antipathies in High School Gossip. Social Networks, 70: 77-89.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socnet.2021.11.009.

Giardini, F., Balliet, D., Power, E.A., Számadó, Sz., and Takács, K. 2022. Four Puzzles of Reputation-Based Cooperation: Content, Process, Honesty, and Structure. Human Nature, 33: 43-61.https://doi.org/10.1007/s12110-021-09419-3

Keller, T., Takács, K., and Elwert, F. 2022. Yes, You Can! Effects of Transparent Admission Standards on High School Track Choice: A Randomized Field Experiment. Social Forces, 101(1), 341-368, soab111,https://doi.org/10.1093/sf/soab111.

Számadó, Sz., Balliet, D., Giardini, F., Power, E.A., and Takács, K. 2021. The language of cooperation: reputation and honest signalling. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, 376 (1838): 20200286. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2020.0286.

Samu, F. and Takács, K. 2021. Evaluating mechanisms that could support credible reputations and cooperation: cross-checking and social bonding. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, 376 (1838): 20200302. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2020.0302.

Takács, K., Gross, J., Testori, M., Letina, S., Kenny, A., Power, E.A., and Wittek, R.P.M. 2021. Networks of Reliable Reputations and Cooperation: A Review. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, 376 (1838): 20200297. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2020.0297.

Kisfalusi, D., Janky, B., and Takács, K. 2021. Grading in Hungarian Primary Schools: Mechanisms of Ethnic Discrimination against Roma Students. European Sociological Review, 37(6), 899-917, jcab023, https://doi.org/10.1093/esr/jcab023

Podder, S., Righi, S., and Takács, K. 2021. Local Reputation, Local Selection, and the Leading Eight Norms. Scientific Reports, 11, 16560. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-95130-3.

Samu, F., Számadó, Sz., and Takács, K. 2020. Scarce and Directly Beneficial Reputations Support Cooperation. Scientific Reports, 10: 11486, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-68123-x.

Stadtfeld, C., Takács, K., and Vörös, A. 2020. The Emergence and Stability of Groups in Social Networks. Social Networks, 60: 129-145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socnet.2019.10.008.

Kisfalusi, D., Neumann, E., and Takács, K. 2019. Ethnic Integration and Interethnic Relations in Schools. Intersections EEJSP, 5(4): 4-17. https://doi.org/10.17356/ieejsp.v5i4.683

Radó, M. and Takács, K. 2019. Relational Integration in Schools Through Seating Assignments. Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation (JASSS), 22(4), 11,
http://jasss.soc.surrey.ac.uk/22/4/11.html.

Gastner, M.T., Takács, K., Gulyás, M., Szvetelszky Zs., and Oborny, B. 2019. The Impact of Hypocrisy on Opinion Formation: A Dynamic Model. PLOS One, 14 (6), e0218729. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0218729

Keller, T. and Takács, K. 2019. Peers that Count: The Influence of Deskmates on Test Scores. Research in Social Stratification and Mobility, 62, 100408, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rssm.2019.05.003.

Kisfalusi, D.; Takács, K., and Pál, J. 2019. Gossip and Reputation in Adolescent Networks. In: Giardini, F. and Wittek, R.P.M. (eds.): Oxford Handbook on Gossip and Reputation, Oxford University Press, 359-379. https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-oxford-handbook-of-gossip-and-reputation-9780190494087?cc=us&lang=en&#

Lőrincz, L., Koltai, J., Győr, A.F., and Takács, K. 2019. Collapse of an Online Social Network: Burning Social Capital to Create It? Social Networks, 57: 43-53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socnet.2018.11.004.

Kisfalusi, D., Janky, B., and Takács, K. 2019. Double Standards or Social Identity? The Role of Gender and Ethnicity in Ability Perceptions in the Classroom. Journal of Early Adolescence, 39(5): 745-780. https://doi.org/10.1177/0272431618791278.

Takács, K. 2018. Discounting of Evolutionary Explanations in Sociology Textbooks and Curricula. Frontiers in Sociology, 3: 24. doi:10.3389/fsoc.2018.00024.

Righi, S. and Takács, K. 2018. Social Closure and the Evolution of Cooperation via Indirect Reciprocity. Scientific Reports, 8(1):11149. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-29290-0.

Takács, K., Bravo, G., and Squazzoni, F. 2018. Referrals and Information Flow in Networks Increase Discrimination: A Laboratory Experiment. Social Networks, 54: 254-265. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socnet.2018.03.005.

Righi, S. and Takács, K. 2017. The Miracle of Peer Review and Development in Science: An Agent-Based Model. Scientometrics, 113(1), 587-607. DOI: 10.1007/s11192-017-2244-y.

Righi, S. and Takács, K. 2017. Parallel versus Sequential Update and the Evolution of Cooperation with the Assistance of Emotional Strategies. In: Cordier, S., Ertur, C., Debarsy, N., Lucas, D., Nemo, F., Poisson, G., and Vrain, C. (eds.): Understanding Interactions in Complex Systems: Toward a Science of Interaction, Cambridge Scholars Publishing. 65-86. (ISBN (10): 1-4438-9496-6), ISBN (13): 978-1-4438-9496-8) http://www.cambridgescholars.com/understanding-interactions-in-complex-systems

Takács, K., Flache, A., and Mäs, M. 2016. Discrepancy and Disliking Do Not Induce Negative Opinion Shifts. PLOS One, 11(6): e0157948. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0157948.

Grow, A., Takács, K., and Pál, J. 2016. Status Characteristics and Ability Attributions in Hungarian School Classes: An Exponential Random Graph Approach. Social Psychology Quarterly, 79(2): 156-167. https://doi.org/10.1177/0190272516643052.

Pál, J., Stadtfeld, C., Grow, A., and Takács, K. 2016. Status Perceptions Matter: Understanding Disliking among Adolescents. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 26(4), 805-818. DOI: 10.1111/jora.1223.

Takács, K. and Squazzoni, F. 2015. High Standards Enhance Inequality in Idealized Labor Markets. Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, 18(4), 2, http://jasss.soc.surrey.ac.uk/18/4/2.html.

Bravo, G., Squazzoni, F., and Takács, K. 2015. Intermediaries in Trust: Indirect Reciprocity, Incentives, and Norms. Journal of Applied Mathematics, 2015(SI3): 1-12. Article ID 234528, doi:10.1155/2015/234528.

Righi, S. and Takács, K. 2014. Emotional Strategies as Catalysts for Cooperation in Signed Networks. Advances in Complex Systems, 17(2), 1450011. http://dx.doi.org/10.1142/S0219525914500118.

Takács, K., Squazzoni, F., Bravo, G., and Castellani, M. 2014. Employer Networks, Priming, and Discrimination in Hiring: An Experiment. In: Manzo, G. (ed.): Analytical Sociology: Norms, Actions, and Networks. Wiley & Son, 373-396. ISBN: 978-1-119-94038-8

Squazzoni, F., Bravo, G., and Takács, K. 2013. Does Incentive Provision Increase the Quality of Peer Review? An Experimental Study. Research Policy, 42(1): 287-294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2012.04.014

Takács, K. 2013. InterGroup Conflict, Models of. In: Pashler, H. (ed.): Encyclopedia of the Mind. Sage, 435-437. http://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781452257044.n162

Squazzoni, F. and Takács K. 2011. Social Simulation that Peers into Peer Review. Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, 14(4):3, http://jasss.soc.surrey.ac.uk/14/4/3.html.

Németh A. and Takács K. 2010. The Paradox of Cooperation Benefits. Journal of Theoretical Biology, 264(2): 301-311. doi:10.1016/j.jtbi.2010.02.
005.

Janky B. and Takács K. 2010. Efficient and Inefficient Social Control in Collective Action. CEU Political Science Journal, 5(3): 316-354. http://epa.oszk.hu/02300/02341/00020/pdf/EPA02341_ceu_2010_03.pdf

Takács K.; Janky B., and Flache, A. 2008. Collective Action and Network Change. Social Networks, 30(3): 177-189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socnet.2008.02.003.

Kratzer, J. and Takács, K. 2007. Staying or Leaving: The Social Structure of R&D Team Member's Expectations of Staying in House. Zeitschrift für Betriebswirtschaft, 4: 87-102.

Németh A. and Takács K. 2007. The Evolution of Altruism in Spatially Structured Populations. Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, 10(3): 4.

Takács K. and Janky B. 2007. Smiling Contributions: Social Control in a Public Goods Game with Network Decline. Physica A, 378 (1): 76-82.

Kratzer, J. and Takács, K. 2007. Expectations of Staying in House: The Effect of Social Networks. Review of Sociology, 13(1): 31-48.

Takács, K. 2007. Effects of Network Segregation in Intergroup Conflict: An Experimental Analysis. Connections, 27(2): 59-76.

Takács, K. 2005. An Experimental Analysis of Network Segregation and Intergroup Conflict. Review of Sociology, 11(1): 5-34. DOI: 10.1556/RevSoc.11.2005.1.1.

Takács, K. 2003. Modeling Intergroup Conflict as Strategic Interactions. Review of Sociology, 9 (2): 113-137. doi: 10.1556/RevSoc.9.2003.2.5.

Takács K. 2001. Structural Embeddedness and Intergroup Conflict. Journal of Conflict Resolution 45 (6): 743-769. doi: 10.1177/0022002701045006003.

News

From left Benjamin Jarvis, Károly Takács and Laura Fürsich.

Gossip helps us work together better

Many associate gossip with malicious rumours. But it doesn’t have to be that way. When it comes to workplaces, gossip is actually something that can help us work together.

Regime oppression brings Hungarian researcher to LiU

Restrictions on academic freedom in Hungary have become so serious that researcher Károly Takács has moved from Budapest to Norrköping and LiU. He brings with him his family and a large part of his research group.

Organisation

Illustration of people surrounded by data

The Institute for Analytical Sociology (IAS)

IAS conduct cutting-edge research on important social, political and cultural matters. The research is sociological - in its original and broadly conceived meaning.