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  • © 1995

Quantitative Sociodynamics

Stochastic Methods and Models of Social Interaction Processes

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Part of the book series: Theory and Decision Library B (TDLB, volume 31)

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Table of contents (12 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xix
  2. Introduction and Summary

    1. Introduction and Summary

      • Dirk Helbing
      Pages 1-16
  3. Stochastic Methods and Non-Linear Dynamics

    1. Master Equation in State Space

      • Dirk Helbing
      Pages 21-52
    2. Boltzmann-Like Equations

      • Dirk Helbing
      Pages 53-67
    3. Master Equation in Configuration Space

      • Dirk Helbing
      Pages 69-82
    4. The Fokker-Planck Equation

      • Dirk Helbing
      Pages 83-101
  4. Quantitative Models of Social Processes

    1. Problems and Terminology

      • Dirk Helbing
      Pages 123-136
    2. Opinion Formation Models

      • Dirk Helbing
      Pages 159-201
    3. Social Fields and Social Forces

      • Dirk Helbing
      Pages 203-225
    4. Evolutionary Game Theory

      • Dirk Helbing
      Pages 227-254
  5. Back Matter

    Pages 291-339

About this book

Quantitative Sociodynamics presents a general strategy for interdisciplinary model building and its application to a quantitative description of behavioural changes based on social interaction processes. Originally, the crucial methods for the modeling of complex systems (stochastic methods and nonlinear dynamics) were developed in physics but they have very often proved their explanatory power in chemistry, biology, economics and the social sciences.
Quantitative Sociodynamics provides a unified and comprehensive overview of the different stochastic methods, their interrelations and properties. In addition, it introduces the most important concepts from nonlinear dynamics (synergetics, chaos theory). The applicability of these fascinating concepts to social phenomena is carefully discussed. By incorporating decision-theoretical approaches a very fundamental dynamic model is obtained which seems to open new perspectives in the social sciences. It includes many established models as special cases, e.g. the logistic equation, the gravity model, some diffusion models, the evolutionary game theory and the social field theory, but it also implies numerous new results. Examples concerning opinion formation, migration, social field theory; the self-organization of behavioural conventions as well as the behaviour of customers and voters are presented and illustrated by computer simulations.
Quantitative Sociodynamics is relevant both for social scientists and natural scientists who are interested in the application of stochastic and synergetics concepts to interdisciplinary topics.

Authors and Affiliations

  • II. Institute of Theoretical Physics, Stuttgart, USA

    Dirk Helbing

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 74.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access