I Will if You Will...A Critical Mass Model (UMAP)

This module introduces the critical mass model, which is applied to examples in which individuals must decide to cheat or not to cheat, to attend or not to attend, to participate or not participate. Students will see and participate in the process of traveling back and forth between a mathematical model and the real world as they solve problems. They will learn to analyze cumulative frequency distributions and apply their analysis to a variety of situations involving group behavior.

Table of Contents:

1. INTRODUCTION

2. A PROTOTYPE EXAMPLE
2.1 To Cheat or Not to Cheat? - That Is the Question
2.2 A Second Survey

3. FORMAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THRESHOLD ANALYSIS

4. ANOTHER EXAMPLE - THE OPTIONAL PROBLEM SESSION

5. SUMMARY AND REFERENCES

6. ADDITIONAL EXERCISES AND PROJECT

7. SOLUTIONS TO EXERCISES