The Mathematics of Behavior

This book is about using mathematics to think about how humans (and other animals) behave.

Earl Hunt (Author)

9780521850124, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 30 October 2006

356 pages, 14 tables
23.5 x 15.8 x 2.3 cm, 0.6 kg

'A great book for anyone looking for an introduction to mathematical modelling within the social sciences.' Psychometrika

Mathematical thinking provides a clear, crisp way of defining problems. Our whole technology is based on it. What is less appreciated is that mathematical thinking can also be applied to problems in the social and behavioral sciences. This book illustrates how mathematics can be used to understand human and animal behavior, using examples in psychology, sociology, economics, ecology, and even marriage counseling.

1. Introduction
2. Applying probability theory to problems in sociology and psychology
3. From physics to perception
4. When systems evolve over time
5. Non-Linear and chaotic systems
6. Defining rationality - personal and group decision making
7. How to evaluate evidence
8. Multidimensional scaling surveying the geography of the mind
9. The mathematical models behind psychological testing
10. How to know you asked a good question
11. The construction of complexity: how simple rules make the complex organizations
12. Connectionism: computation connects mind and brain
13. L'Envoi
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Mathematics & science [P], Psychology [JM]