An Introduction to Models in the Social Sciences
1st Edition
Published on 27. September 1993
432 pages
978-1-4616-7723-9 (ISBN)
Description
What is a model? How do you construct one? What are some common models in the social sciences? How can models be applied in new situations? What makes a model good? Focusing on answers to these and related questions, this multidisciplinary introduction to model building in the social sciences formulates interesting problems that involve students in creative model building and the process of invention. The book describes models of individual choice, exchange, adaptation, and diffusion. Throughout, student participation in analytical thinking is encouraged. Originally published in 1975 by HarperCollins Publishers.
More details
Edition
1. Auflage
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
ISBN-13
978-1-4616-7723-9 (9781461677239)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Charles A. Lave | James G. March
An Introduction to Models in the Social Sciences
Book
09/1993
University Press of America
€102.20
Shipment within 10-20 days
Persons
By Charles A. Lave and James G. March
Content
- AN INTRODUCTION TO MODELS IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES
- contents
- PREFACE
- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
- CHAPTER ONE WHAT WE ARE UP TO
- CHAPTER TWO AN INTRODUCTION TO SPECULATION
- 2.1 Introduction
- 2.2 Contact and Friendship
- 2.3 Rocks, Lakes, and Rivers
- 2.3.1 A Model of the Model-Building Process
- 2.4 Responsibility Corrupts
- 2.5 The Case of the Dumb Question
- 2.6 The Case of the Smart Women
- 2.7 On Becoming a Social Scientist
- 2.8 The Politics of Population
- 2.9 Three Rules of Thumb for Model Building
- CHAPTER THREE THE EVALUATION OF SPECULATIONS
- 3.1 Introduction
- 3.2 Truth
- 3.2.1 Circular Models
- 3.2.2 Critical Experiments
- 3.2.3 The Importance of Being Wrong
- 3.3 Beauty
- 3.3.1 Simplicity
- 3.3.2 Fertility
- 3.3.3 Surprise
- 3.4 Justice
- 3.5 The Search
- CHAPTER FOUR CHOICE
- 4.1 Introduction
- 4.2 A Model of Individual Decision Making
- 4.2.1 Probability
- 4.2.2 Expected Value
- 4.2.3 Decision Trees
- 4.2.4 Expected Value and Probability (Round II)
- 4.3 Explorations of Decision Trees
- 4.3.1 Decision Making Under Risk
- 4.3.2 The Value of Information
- 4.3.3 The Value of Control
- 4.3.4 The Value of Insurance (Optional)
- 4.4 Maximization of Expected Utility
- 4.5 Trees Without Numbers
- 4.5.1 Traffic Routes as Choices
- 4.5.2 College as a Choice
- 4.6 Alternative Decision Rules (Optional)
- CHAPTER FIVE EXCHANGE
- 5.1 Introduction
- 5.2 Internal Exchange
- 5.2.1 Utility (Again)
- 5.2.2 Indifference Curves
- 5.2.3 Consumption Possibility Line
- 5.2.4 Maximization of Utility
- 5.2.5 Effect of Price Changes
- 5.2.6 Effect of Budget Changes
- 5.2.7 Summary of Utility Maximization Graphs
- 5.3 Explorations of Indifference Curves
- 5.3.1 Trade-offs
- 5.3.2 The Squeaky Wheel Theory of Value
- 5.3.3 Men and Women
- 5.4 A Formal Model of Internal Exchange
- 5.4.1 How to Draw Indifference Curves
- 5.5 External Exchange
- 5.5.1 The Edgeworth Box (Optional)
- 5.5.2 Supply/Demand Analysis (Optional)
- 5.5.3 Derivation of Supply and Demand Curves (Optional)
- CHAPTER SIX ADAPTATION
- 6.1 Introduction
- 6.2 The Basic Model
- 6.3 The Adaptation Equations
- 6.3.1 Adaptation Equations in a T-Maze
- 6.3.2 Expected Probability
- 6.3.3 The Meaning of Probabilities in Adaptation Models
- 6.3.4 The Significance of a and b
- 6.4 How the Model Works
- 6.4.1 The Effect of Reward Schedules
- 6.4.2 Learning Limits (Optional)
- 6.4.3 Explorations of T-Mazes
- 6.5 Superstitious Learning
- 6.5.1 Benign Worlds
- 6.5.2 Malevolent Worlds
- 6.5.3 Learning Limits (Optional)
- 6.5.4 Explorations of Superstition
- 6.6 Mutual Learning (Optional)
- 6.6.1 Mating
- 6.6.2 Hunting
- CHAPTER SEVEN DIFFUSION
- 7.1 Introduction
- 7.2 A Set of Basic Assumptions
- 7.3 Intergenerational Diffusion
- 7.4 Some Models
- 7.4.1 The Idea of Rate of Change
- 7.4.2 A Model of Information Explosion
- 7.4.3 A Birth Process with Limits
- 7.4.4 A Broadcast Process
- 7.5 Explorations of Social Diseases
- 7.5.1 Diffusion as Individual Choice and Adaptation
- 7.6 Diffusion in a Social Structure
- 7.6.1 The Elements of Social Structure
- 7.6.2 Relevant Group Model
- 7.6.3 Separate Group Model
- 7.6.4 Semipermeable Groups (Optional)
- INDEX
