The role of emotional expression in the evolution of cooperation in spatial prisoner’s dilemma games

In spatial evolutionary games, the role of emotions in fostering cooperation is crucial yet underexplored. Building on previous emotion-based network game models, this study examines the impact of the outward expression of emotions on the evolution of group cooperation. Computer simulations reveal that emotional expressions significantly enhance cooperation by shaping interactions among individuals. Specifically, non-competitive individuals in C-clusters exhibit higher emotional value and thus possess the ability to influence the learning tendencies of other individuals. This dynamic prevents betrayers from disrupting C-clusters and allows the influences of cooperators to spread. A Key factors driving the evolution of this phenomenon include the proportion of non-competitive individuals, the cumulative emotional length, the unit emotional value, and the intensity of emotional expression. Finally, our results demonstrate the adaptability of the model across different network structures and provide new perspectives for studying the mechanisms of emotion-driven cooperation in complex systems.