Skip to main content
Log in

Note on the spread of a state in small social groups

  • Published:
The bulletin of mathematical biophysics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A model is developed for the spread of a state in small social groups. Under suitable assumptions the model exhibits formal identity with Markov chain theory. The basic theorems and classifications of Markov chain theory are stated and interpreted in terms of the model. Finally, some procedures for testing the model are indicated.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature

  • Feller, W. 1950.An Introduction to Probability Theory and Its Applications: I. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Landahl, H. D. 1950. “Mathematical Theory of Imitative Behavior in a Social Group with Finite Imitation Thresholds.”Bull. Math. Biophysics,12, 207–13.

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Landau, H. G. 1950. “Note on the Effect of Imitation in Social Behavior.”Bull. Math. Biophysics,12, 221–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lippitt, R., N. Polansky, F. Redl, and S. Rosen. 1952. “The Dynamics of Power.”Human Relations,5, 37–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, G. A. 1952. “Finite Markov Processes in Psychology.”Psychometrica,17, 149–67.

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Rapoport, A. 1953. “Spread of Information through a Population with Socio-structural Bias: I”Bull. Math. Biophysics,15, 523–33.

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • —. 1963. “Spread of Information through a Population with Socio-structural Bias: II.” —Ibid.,15, 535–71.

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Rashevsky, N. 1949. “Mathematical Biology of Social Behavior: III.”Bull. Math. Biophysics,11, 255–71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • — 1951.Mathematical Biology of Social Behavior. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trucco, Ernesto. 1954. “Studies in Imitative Behavior: A Generalization of the Rashevsky Model; Its Mathematical Properties.”Bull. Math. Biophysics,16, 279–316.

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Karlsson, G. Note on the spread of a state in small social groups. Bulletin of Mathematical Biophysics 17, 1–5 (1955). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02481832

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02481832

Keywords

Navigation