The explanatory power of threshold models - Comment on an article by Norman Braun

Journal/Book: Kolner Z Soziol Sozialpsychol. 1996; 48: Postfach 5829, W-6200 Wiesbaden, Germany. Westdeutscher Verlag GmbH. 339.

Abstract: The individual threshold can be defined as the proportion of others in the social environment, who had to perform a certain action before the person decides to act him/herself. The particular explanatory power of threshold models lies in the fact that minimally different individual thresholds can have an outcome of largely different collective results by the nonlinear dynamic process of individual decision-making. This effect explains the course of the ''Leipziger Montags-Demonstrationen'', which significantly influenced the revolution in the GDR. Earlier applications of threshold models, which also explain these demonstrations, are criticized.

Note: Article V Mullerbenedict, Univ Gottingen, Pl Gottinger Sieben 3, D-37073 Gottingen, Germany

Keyword(s): COLLECTIVE BEHAVIOR; REVOLUTION; GDR

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