Dynamics in the Development of Large Information Exchange Groups and Virtual Communities

Nonlinear Dynamics, Psychology, and Life Sciences - Tập 1 - Trang 123-149 - 1997
Stephen J. Guastello1, Pierre Philippe2
1Department of Psychology, Marquette University, Milwaukee
2Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Canada

Tóm tắt

This study explored the dynamics associated with the development of a large scale internet discussion group that grew in size to over 800 subscribers. The unit of data analysis was the subscription level over time. The situation allowed the comparative evaluation of several models and metrics: the fractal dimension extracted from the inverse power law, the Lyapunov dimension extracted from the nonlinear exponential modeling technique, two approaches to the identification of a fixed point attractor, May-Oster population dynamics, and simulations and analysis of critical points. Results showed the presence of a fixed point attractor for subscription levels, plus a critical saddle point, suggested by game theory, whereby the group was functioning at a self-sustaining level. The overall time series was described as a clear example of May-Oster population dynamics.

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