From individual choice to group decision-making

Serge Galam and Jean-Daniel Zucker

Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, 2000, vol. 287, issue 3, 644-659

Abstract: Some universal features are independent of both the social nature of the individuals making the decision and the nature of the decision itself. On this basis a simple magnet like model is built. Pair interactions are introduced to measure the degree of exchange among individuals while discussing. An external uniform field is included to account for a possible pressure from outside. Individual biases with respect to the issue at stake are also included using local random fields. A unique postulate of minimum conflict is assumed. The model is then solved with emphasis on its psycho-sociological implications. Counter-intuitive results are obtained. At this stage no new physical technicality is involved. Instead the full psycho-sociological implications of the model are drawn. Few cases are then detailed to enlight them. In addition, several numerical experiments based on our model are shown to give both an insight on the dynamics of the model and suggest further research directions.

Keywords: Group decision-making; Model; Numerical simulation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2000
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (13)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:phsmap:v:287:y:2000:i:3:p:644-659

DOI: 10.1016/S0378-4371(00)00399-X

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