Identification of Endogenous Social Effects: The Reflection Problem
研究当研究者观察群体行为分布时，推断群体平均行为是否影响个体行为所面临的反射问题，发现除非有关于参照群体构成的先验信息，否则无法进行推断。
This paper examines the reflection problem that arises when a researcher observing the distribution of behaviour in a population tries to infer whether the average behaviour in some group influences the behaviour of the individuals that comprise the group. It is found that inference is not possible unless the researcher has prior information specifying the compisition of reference groups. If this information is available, the prospects for inference depend critically on the population relationship between the variables defining reference groups and those directly affecting outcomes. Inference is difficult to implossible if these variables are functionally dependent or are statistically independent. The prospects are better if the variables defining reference groups and those directly affecting outcomes are moderately related in the population.