Professor Xu Bing and Associate Professor Maxwell Pak from RIEM have published a collaborative paper titled "Homophilia, Selection, and Choice in Segregation Models" in the top international journal PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences). Professor Xu Bing is the first author, Associate Professor Maxwell Park is the third author, and William A. V. Clark from the University of California, Los Angeles is the second and corresponding author.
Titile：
Homophily, selection, and choice in segregation models
Author：
Xu Bing, William A. V. Clark, Maxwell Pak
Paper Link:
https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2313752121
Abstract：
Residential segregation (the segregation of individuals based on their skin color, place of birth, language, income, or education level) is often seen as a natural discrimination or a result of personal choice. Previous literature (Schelling, 1971) suggests that even a small degree of homogeneity (desire to live with similar neighbors) may lead to significant segregation and differentiation in population distribution. This article re examines a traditional hypothesis in the aforementioned research, namely that the emergence of homogeneity is based on exogenous and unchangeable group identities. On the contrary, we propose that homogeneity may stem from a desire to be neighbors with similar behavior, rather than just neighbors with the same group identity. The importance of this distinction lies in the fact that individual behavior is not exogenous or unchangeable, but rather choices made by individuals based on their environment and adaptability. Our research suggests that in such an environment, the typical outcome is residential integration rather than residential isolation. However, when considering forms of economic friction such as income inequality and housing costs, the trend of population adaptation to different groups and residential integration may be hindered. This study provides a new perspective for understanding the process of residential isolation.
Xu Bing
Maxwell Pak
