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. 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 (http://www.telospub.com) www.telospub.com . 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 about a dimension to the science in which "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 qualified for use by social scientists, especially those without expertise in computer programming Front Matter....Pages i-xxiii Front Matter....Pages 1-1 Modeling a Society of Mobile Heterogeneous Individuals....Pages 3-17 Front Matter....Pages 19-19 Transmitting Culture....Pages 21-45 Front Matter....Pages 47-47 Deciding Whether to Interact....Pages 49-75 Choosing How to Behave....Pages 77-102 Front Matter....Pages 103-103 Grouping and Conforming....Pages 105-125 Front Matter....Pages 127-127 Social Networking and Moving to Far-Flung Locations....Pages 129-147 Back Matter....Pages 149-218 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.
