A MATHEMATICAL MODEL FOR THE BEHAVIOR OF INDIVIDUALS IN A SOCIAL FIELD

Citation Detail

Title:

A MATHEMATICAL MODEL FOR THE BEHAVIOR OF INDIVIDUALS IN A SOCIAL FIELD.

Authors:

Helbing, Dirk¹

Source:

Journal of Mathematical Sociology; 1994, Vol. 19 Issue 3, p189-219, 31p

Document Type:

Article

Subject Terms:

*HUMAN behavior
*PSYCHOLOGY
*FIELD theory (Social psychology)
*AVOIDANCE (Psychology)
*DEFENSE mechanisms (Psychology)
MATHEMATICAL models
METHODOLOGY
DECISION theory

Author-Supplied Keywords:

Behavioral model
decision theory
diffusion model
field theory
imitative and avoidance processes
pair interactions

Abstract:

Related to an idea of Lewin, a mathematical model for behavioral changes under the influence of a social field is developed. The social field reflects public opinion, social norms and trends. It is not only given by external factors (the environment) but also by the interactions of individuals. Two important kinds of interaction processes are distinguished: Imitative and avoidance processes. Variations of individual behavior are taken into account by ‘diffusion coefficients.’ [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

 

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Author Affiliations:

¹II. Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of Suttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57/III, 70550 Stuttgart, Germany

ISSN:

0022250X

Accession Number:

15372490

Persistent link to this record (Permalink):

Database:

SocINDEX with Full Text

Publisher Logo: