Wu, JiabinHuang, Hanyuan2024-01-092024-01-092024-01-09https://hdl.handle.net/1794/29200This dissertation provides a deep exploration of identity. Three chapters present studies of the interplay between identity and various social, cultural, and economic factors from different angles. The first chapter develops a theoretical framework for expressing cultural identity within social networks, taking into account individuals’ desire to conform and be unique. This leads to diverse expressions of cultural identity influenced by social structures. The second chapter proposes a model to explain the emergence of dominance hierarchies, where agents with limited cognitive abilities optimize their strategies in a social interaction game. This results in different types of hierarchical structures, providing insight into societal order. The final investigation focuses on ethnicity choice in mixed-ethnic families in modern China, highlighting the impact of economic development and education quality. It presents an intra-household bargaining model that explains changes in benefits, costs, and bargaining powers within families. The dissertation as a whole characterizes the multifaceted nature of identity, revealing its profound connections with social networks, cognitive processes, and economic development.This dissertation includes both previously published and co-authored material.en-USAll Rights Reserved.Electronic Thesis or Dissertation