Date of Award
2018
Thesis Type
Open Access
Degree Name
Honors Bachelor of Arts
Department
Mathematics
Sponsor
Dr. Mark Anderson
Abstract
The population dynamics of public opinion have many similarities to those of epidemics. For example, models of epidemics and public opinion share characteristics like contact rates, incubation times, and recruitment rates. Generally, epidemic dynamics have been presented through epidemiological models. In this paper we adapt an epidemiological model to demonstrate the population dynamics of public opinion given two opposing viewpoints. We find equilibrium solutions for various cases of the system and examine the local stability. Overall, our system provides sociological insight on the spread and transition of a public opinion.
Recommended Citation
Baxter, Arden, "Modeling Public Opinion" (2018). Honors Program Theses. 67.
https://scholarship.rollins.edu/honors/67
Rights Holder
Arden Baxter