Synopses & Reviews
An exploration of the basis for social and economic behaviour. Using cellular automata in particular, the authors model various factors that are involved in a system of individuals who interact socially and economically with one another. Computer simulations in the social sciences provide a laboratory in which qualitative ideas about social and economic interactions can be tested. This brings a new dimension to the science, where 'explanations' abound, but are rarely subject to much experimental testing. The authors have chosen Mathematica because it has a number of features which make it uniquely qualified for use by social scientists, especially those without expertise in computer programming. Further, users can easily access and readily interact with the various 3.0 Mathematica notebooks, plus other data to be found at www.telospub.com.
Synopsis
In "Simulating Scoiety," the authors explore the basis for social and economic behavior. Using the methodology of computer simulation, specifically cellular automata, they model various factors that are involved in a system of individuals (or agents) who interact socially and economically with one another. The usefulness of computer simulations in the social sciences is that it provides a laboratory in which qualitative ideas about social and economic interations can be tested. This brings a new dimension to the social sciences where 'explanations' abound, but are rarely subject to much experimental testing. Mathematica is used as the programming language for implementing these models as cellular automata simulations. The authors have chosen this language because it has a number of features which make it uniquely qualified to be used by social scientists, especially those without expertise in computer programming. Users can easily access the various 3.0 Mathematica notebooks, and readily interact with them, the full text of the printed book, itself, and other data contained on www.telospub.com.
Synopsis
Simulating Society builds upon the sucess of Gaylord's two previous works involved with the simulating and modeling with Mathematica -- and cellular automata, in partcular. While those works were devised specifically for physical and natural scientists, this volume is designed especially for working economists and social scientists involved with the computer simulations of phenomena in the socioeconomic arena.
Synopsis
Using the methodology of computer simulation, specifically cellular automata, this book models various factors that are involved in a system of individuals who interact socially and economically with one another. Mathematica is used to create simulations that provide a laboratory in which qualitative ideas about social and economic interactions can be tested.
Table of Contents
Modeling Systems of Mobile, Heterogeneous Interacting Agents.- Cooperation - Social Ostracism.