The Dynamics of Cultural Influence Networks

This article investigates the behavior of cultural influence networks over time, using a computer simulation based on a formal model of cultural transmission in organizations. In the formal model, every organizational member exerts some cultural influence on, and is influenced by, every other member; these influence paths constitute a dense social network and the weights of paths (ties) vary throughout the network. Over time, each organizational member's enculturation level changes in response to influence from other members, and the influence weight of each path changes in relationship to the cultural similarity of the individuals connected by the path. Virtual experiments explore the configuration and evolution of the cultural influence network under varying demographic conditions and influence principles. Demographic effects are studied by varying organizational size, hiring selectivity and turnover rates. Two principles for determining initial influence path weights are examined, cohort-based influence and random influence. The simulations show that the cultural influence network evolves over time to a robust configuration, fluctuating around a stable dynamic equilibrium as individuals enter and leave the organization. As turnover rates rise, cohort-based influence strengthens the influence network and reduces network inequality. In this model, cohort-based influence processes promote cultural stability in organizations.     

On a Sociologically Structured Human Community Dynamics Model

A deterministic model for pair formation in an age-sex and religion-structured nonlimited human community is analyzed. The model consists of a system of nonlinear integro-differential equations and describes the dynamics of interacting religions which tolerate both uniconfessional pairs and those with different religions. The existence and uniqueness theorem is proved.     

Baseline models are not “finishline” models: A sympathetic critique of Mayhew's strategy

A rationalist view of Relative Deprivation is possible if it is represented with extended preference. In the social movements studies, the concept of relative deprivation has been treated as an intervening variable, which is determined by the interpersonal comparisons and causes the social movements. The most important problem is whether a relatively deprived individual has an incentive for social movements or not. On the one hand he has different reference persons to whom he experiences relative deprivation and a sense of his subjective welfare, which make him behave in respective ways. But on the other hand he can behave in only one way at one time. We formalize the concept of the relative deprivation and construct the model that the relative deprivation and his preference in the ordinary sense are both the factors determining his behavior. Then it is deduced that there's no effect of the feeling relative deprivation for each individual to decide his way under some adequate conditions. So it should be concluded that the concept of the relative deprivation is not effective to explain social movements or social change in collectivities.     

Shape up or ship out: social networks,turnover, and organizational culture

This paper considers a formal model of cultural transmission in organizations, examining the interplay of structured social influence and organizational demography. A set of focused and fine-grained computational experiments elucidates this model’s assumptions, facilitates deeper explanations for some of its behavior, and explores the robustness and scope conditions of previously published conclusions. In doing so, this investigation highlights several important issues in the design and evaluation of computational experiments.

Sense and sensibility: using a model to examine the relationship between public pre-school places and fertility

This paper presents a stochastic dynamic mathematical model, in which a Family Policy Index (XFPI) is included to measure and compare two different models of provision of resources to support families with children from 0 to 3 years old. The main variables in this model are the XFPI, fertility, mortality, emigration and immigration rates. This mathematical model was validated in two different countries, Spain and Norway, during the 2007–2015 period. A sensitivity analysis was applied to simulate the future trend (2016–2030), examining the influence of providing public pre-school services (0 to 3 years) on (XISF). The results obtained show that these services may indeed have an influence on fertility rates, as long as they are developed extensively.     

Heavy metals as toxicants in big cities

Heavy Metals (HMs) can exert detrimental effects on human health and on the environment. Their ecotoxicological properties are generally well known. As regards human toxicology, new aspects should be taken into consideration—gender and age dependence. The HMs chemical risk can be estimated and in this context, city demography data help to evaluate today's ecological situation (including HMs) and to predict the dynamics of future urbanization.As regards urban atmosphere, motor vehicles (Pb) and industry (V, Ni, Cr, Cd) exert the greatest influence; water, soil, vegetation also experience menace caused by HMs. Urban environments should be protected against contamination posed by HMs: the health status of big cities is dependent on adequate and safe supply of water. Vegetation plays a helpful role in reducing HM content in the atmosphere and the soil. Awareness of the inhabitants regarding the risks posed by HMs also counts as critical factor today. Ecoeducation at the beginning of the new century can be taken into consideration.     

家庭的社会特征对住房市场需求的影响研究

为分析家庭的社会特征对住房市场需求的作用及影响程度,本文以2006年大连市居民住房现状及需求调查数据为基础,依照利用分类回归树(CRT)方法对家庭社会阶层的划分结果,对大连市住房需求市场进行了市场细分,并比较了各细分市场的住房现状及住房需求的差异.实证分析的结果表明,处于不同社会阶层的家庭,其住房现状和对住房的需求率均有所差异:低收入阶层的家庭,其现住房的条件相对较差,对现住房的满意程度相对较低,不过由于受支付能力的限制,其购房需求率并不高.     

A mathematical model for a limited sociologically structured human community

A model for a pair formation in the age-sex and religion-structured human community whose vital rates depend on the total population is presented. The model describes the dynamics of interacting religions, which tolerate both uniconfessional pairs and those with different religions. Two special cases of vital rates are considered, and existence and uniqueness theorems are proved. Published in Lietuvos Matematikos Rinkinys, Vol. 40, No. 1, pp. 82–112, January–March, 2000.