Modeling and Simulation of Social-Behavioral Phenomena

A special issue of Mathematics (ISSN 2227-7390). This special issue belongs to the section "Mathematics and Computer Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 May 2024) | Viewed by 8831

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Central Economics and Mathematics Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117418 Moscow, Russia
Interests: microeconomics; theory of economic systems; institutional economics; knowledge economy; economic-mathematical modeling; economics of socio-economic ecosystems

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Guest Editor
Institute of Applied Mathematical Research of Karelian Research Centre, Russian Academy of Sciences, Petrozavodsk, 185910 Karelia, Russia
Interests: game theory; decision analysis; dynamic programming; bargaining models; networking games; behavioral models
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Central Economics and Mathematics Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117418 Moscow, Russia
Interests: system approach; strategic management; digital economy; economic and mathematical modeling; agent-oriented modeling; ecosystems

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The growing challenges of societal sustainability, social complexity, behavioral operations research, and cohesion are increasingly acknowledged in the computer science community. The application of computational models to study issues of decision processes in social systems has recently been undergoing rapid development. The use of a multidisciplinary approach makes it possible to integrate mathematics and computer science in social science and humanities. Such integration, in turn, makes it possible to strengthen the visibility, recognition, and understanding of problems of simulation and modeling of socioeconomic reality.

This Special Issue of Mathematics aims to highlight and explore some of the more recent theoretical and practical advances in computer modeling and simulation of social–behavioral phenomena toward efficient decision processes.

We invite researchers from the areas of social sciences and humanities, operations research, computational intelligence, agent-based simulation, applied mathematics, econophysics, and others to take part in the Special Issue. There is also an opportunity for participants of the 2nd International Conference on “Modeling and Simulation of Social–Behavioral Phenomena in Creative Societies” (MSBC-2022) https://msbc.tech/ to contribute proposals.

Each submitted paper will be rigorously evaluated following the revision process generally applied in the Mathematics journal. This process will be based on assessing the originality, significance, technical soundness, clarity of exposition, and relevance of the submitted paper to the theme of the Special Issue. Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

  • Computational intelligence applications in social sciences;
  • Modeling of complex societal problems;
  • Experimental and behavioral economics;
  • Multiagent systems and agent societies;
  • Agent-based social simulation systems;
  • Metrics of social cohesion and sustainability;
  • Big data and optimization in social networks;
  • Game theory in social sciences;
  • Statistical data analysis in social research.

Prof. Dr. George B. Kleiner
Prof. Dr. Vladimir V. Mazalov
Dr. Maxim A. Rybachuk
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Mathematics is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

  • mathematical modeling in social sciences
  • quantitative social science research
  • computational mathematics and modeling
  • multiagent systems
  • numerical analysis and simulation
  • optimization and operations research
  • social network analysis
  • evidence-based decisions

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 285 KiB  
Article
A Political Radicalization Framework Based on Moral Foundations Theory
by Ruben Interian
Mathematics 2024, 12(13), 2121; https://doi.org/10.3390/math12132121 - 6 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1487
Abstract
Moral foundations theory proposes that individuals with conflicting political views base their behavior on different principles chosen from a small group of universal moral foundations. This study proposes using a set of widely accepted moral foundations (fairness, in-group loyalty, authority, and purity) as [...] Read more.
Moral foundations theory proposes that individuals with conflicting political views base their behavior on different principles chosen from a small group of universal moral foundations. This study proposes using a set of widely accepted moral foundations (fairness, in-group loyalty, authority, and purity) as proxies to determine the degree of radicalization of online communities. A fifth principle, care, is generally surpassed by others that are higher in the radicalized groups’ moral hierarchy. Moreover, the presented data-driven methodological framework proposes an alternative way to measure whether a community complies with a certain moral principle or foundation: not evaluating its speech, but its behavior through the interactions of its individuals, establishing a bridge between the structural features of the interaction network and the intensity of communities’ radicalization regarding the considered moral foundations. Two foundations were assessed using the network’s structural characteristics: in-group loyalty measured by group-level modularity, and authority evaluated using group domination, for detecting potential hierarchical substructures within the network. By analyzing a set of Pareto-optimal groups regarding a multidimensional moral relevance scale, the most radicalized communities were identified among those considered extreme in some of their attitudes or views. An application of the proposed framework is illustrated using real-world datasets. The radicalized communities’ behavior exhibited increasing isolation, and their authorities and leaders showed growing domination over their audience. Differences were also detected between users’ behavior and speech, showing that individuals tended to share more “extreme” in-group content than they publish: extreme views get more likes on social media. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modeling and Simulation of Social-Behavioral Phenomena)
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10 pages, 275 KiB  
Article
A Multi-Step Model for Pie Cutting with Random Offers
by Vladimir Mazalov and Vladimir Yashin
Mathematics 2024, 12(8), 1150; https://doi.org/10.3390/math12081150 - 11 Apr 2024
Viewed by 791
Abstract
The problem of dividing a pie between two persons is considered. An arbitration procedure for dividing the pie is proposed, in which the arbitrator is a random number generator. In this procedure, the arbitrator makes an offer to the players at each step, [...] Read more.
The problem of dividing a pie between two persons is considered. An arbitration procedure for dividing the pie is proposed, in which the arbitrator is a random number generator. In this procedure, the arbitrator makes an offer to the players at each step, and the players can either accept or reject the arbitrator’s offer. If there is no consensus, negotiations move on to the next step. At the same time, the arbitrator punishes the rejecting player by reducing the amount of the resource in favor of the consenting player. A subgame perfect equilibrium is found in the process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modeling and Simulation of Social-Behavioral Phenomena)
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9 pages, 841 KiB  
Article
Evolutionary Model of Signed Edges in Online Networks Based on Infinite One-Dimensional Uniform Lattice
by Zhenpeng Li, Zhihua Yan and Xijin Tang
Mathematics 2024, 12(7), 1026; https://doi.org/10.3390/math12071026 - 29 Mar 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 884
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to study the evolutionary dynamic model for signed edges as observed in online signed social networks. We introduce the incremental mechanism of signed edges behind a simple random walk and explain how this relates to Brownian motion [...] Read more.
The aim of this paper is to study the evolutionary dynamic model for signed edges as observed in online signed social networks. We introduce the incremental mechanism of signed edges behind a simple random walk and explain how this relates to Brownian motion and the diffusive process. We prove how a one-dimensional thermal diffusion equation can be obtained to describe such edge-generating mechanism, and moreover obtain a macroscopic probability distribution of positive and negative edges. The result reveals that the signed edge growth dynamics process can be regarded as a thermodynamic diffusion process. Both empirically and theoretically, we validate that signed network links follow the classic statistic mechanism, i.e., local Brownian motion gives rise to the global emergence pattern of the Gaussian process. The investigation might discover a new and universal characteristic for signed networks, and shed light on some potential applications, such as information spreading, evolutionary games, trust transmission, and dynamic structural balance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modeling and Simulation of Social-Behavioral Phenomena)
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22 pages, 342 KiB  
Article
On the Concept of Equilibrium in Sanctions and Countersanctions in a Differential Game
by Vladislav I. Zhukovskiy and Lidiya V. Zhukovskaya
Mathematics 2023, 11(20), 4402; https://doi.org/10.3390/math11204402 - 23 Oct 2023
Viewed by 1590
Abstract
This paper develops the methodology for modeling decision processes in complex controlled dynamic systems. The idea of balancing such systems (driving them to equilibrium) is implemented, and a new mechanism for the equilibria’s stability is proposed. Such an approach involves economic–mathematical modeling jointly [...] Read more.
This paper develops the methodology for modeling decision processes in complex controlled dynamic systems. The idea of balancing such systems (driving them to equilibrium) is implemented, and a new mechanism for the equilibria’s stability is proposed. Such an approach involves economic–mathematical modeling jointly with systems analysis methods, economics, law, sociology, game theory, management, and performance measurement. A linear-quadratic positional differential game of several players is considered. Coefficient criteria under which the game has an equilibrium in sanctions and countersanctions and, simultaneously, no Nash equilibrium are derived. The economic and legal model of active equilibrium is studied through the legal concept of sanctions, which enlarges the practical application of this class of problems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modeling and Simulation of Social-Behavioral Phenomena)
20 pages, 3434 KiB  
Article
Hybrid Modeling of Anxiety Propagation in Response to Threat Stimuli Flow
by Leonidas Sakalauskas, Vitalij Denisov and Aiste Dirzyte
Mathematics 2023, 11(19), 4121; https://doi.org/10.3390/math11194121 - 29 Sep 2023
Viewed by 1202
Abstract
Previous studies have demonstrated that the rates of anxiety have been constantly increasing worldwide in recent years. To understand this phenomenon, based on the complemented cognitive model TVAPA of anxiety, the hybrid method of modeling and simulating the dynamics of anxiety in the [...] Read more.
Previous studies have demonstrated that the rates of anxiety have been constantly increasing worldwide in recent years. To understand this phenomenon, based on the complemented cognitive model TVAPA of anxiety, the hybrid method of modeling and simulating the dynamics of anxiety in the population is proposed. The suggested method combines agent-based modeling, dynamic systems modeling with differential equations, and machine learning methods. The four-level STAI methodology is applied to assess anxiety in the proposed models. Sentiment analysis of social media content is used to identify the parameters of triggering stimuli flow. The proposed models were implemented and verified using open access data sets. Created models are characterized by simplicity, and the parameters used in them have a clear socio-informational meaning. The developed models can be calibrated by applying statistical methods according to indicators of anxiety measured at discrete sets of time intervals by associating them with parameters of the threat stimuli flow taken from statistical data and/or Internet content tracking data. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modeling and Simulation of Social-Behavioral Phenomena)
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13 pages, 1203 KiB  
Article
Rethinking the Role of Organizational Reflex in Maintaining a Company’s Sustainability
by Sigitas Vaitkevicius, Ojaras Purvinis, Leonidas Sakalauskas and Palmira Papsiene
Mathematics 2023, 11(10), 2403; https://doi.org/10.3390/math11102403 - 22 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1452
Abstract
The organizational reflex in relation to the company is considered to be an instinctive reaction of its employees to an external stimulus that has arisen or, in other words, the ability of the employee to spontaneously generate a competitive response of the company [...] Read more.
The organizational reflex in relation to the company is considered to be an instinctive reaction of its employees to an external stimulus that has arisen or, in other words, the ability of the employee to spontaneously generate a competitive response of the company based on the information received from the global environment. It is an intentional algorithm that enables employees to know how and when to react as quickly as possible, according to the signal from the global environment received, within the limits of their area of expertise. This response phenomenon comes forth in the context of the functioning of a sustainable organization and highlights the coherence of the performance of a human resource. In order to maintain its competitiveness, each organization learns to react to the ongoing changes in the dynamic environment as quickly as possible and, in this process, develops action algorithms similar to human reflexes in structure. Modern science makes a great contribution to the longevity of the company by creating activity models for the organization and performing simulations in the digital space. In this paper, the simulation model of a company’s competitive human resource response to global changes, which is used for the description of organizational reflex, is present. The model reflects the human reflex arc in a company’s decision-making process, whose effectiveness depends on the coherence of its human resources and its ability to sustain an effective organizational reflex. The purpose of the developed model is to simulate the employee’s response to the signals incoming from the global environment and to describe the development process of the organizational reflex that is leading to the longevity of the company and the sustainability of its market leadership. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modeling and Simulation of Social-Behavioral Phenomena)
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