Exploring the effects of social preference, economic disparity, and heterogeneous environments on segregation

Abstract

It is believed that social preference, economic disparity, and heterogeneous environments are mechanisms for segregation. However, it is difficult to unravel the exact role of each mechanism in such a complex system. We introduce a versatile, simple and intuitive particle-interaction model that allows to easily examine the effect of each of these factors. It is amenable to numerical simulations, and allows for the derivation of the macroscopic equations. As the population size and number of groups with different economic status approach infinity, we derive various local and non-local system of PDEs. Through the analysis of the continuous limiting equations, we conclude that social preference is a necessary but not always sufficient mechanism for segregation. On the other hand, when combined with the environment and economic disparity, social preference does enhance segregation.