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.

Rights Holder

Arden Baxter

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