The proposed instrumentation will be used primarily in research on the distribution of power in exchange networks. The central question of this research tradition is how position in a network of exchange relations confers relative advantage or disadvantage in obtaining favorable rates of exchange with partners. The instrumentation will be used to configure a network of PCs, all linked to each other through a main file server. Experimenters will be able to realize any communication network design by blocking communication channels between any two subject PCs and thus investigate the effect of network shape on the distribution of power among subjects. The instrumentation makes possible the systematic manipulation of additional "parameters of exchange" beyond network configuration. Finally, the particular combination of hardware and software provides ideal capabilities for online data records of all significant events in the exchange process.
