Faculty Sponsor
Fabio Sanchez
Location
Jereld R. Nicholson Library
Date
5-11-2012 3:00 PM
End Date
5-11-2012 4:30 PM
Subject Area
Mathematics (applied)
Description
Gangs have played a significant role in the social and political history of the United States, and continue to impact the country today, as gang violence and participation rates continue to grow. In this paper, we explore the dynamics of gang involvement between at-risk individuals, gang members, and reformed gang members using an SIR-type model. We investigate the effect that social influence of reformed gang members has on the "at-risk" population using a general function, which takes into account the cost of gang membership and a threat factor. Our results show that the influence of the reformed population is highly sensitive to initial gang member population size, recidivism, and cost.
Recommended Citation
Smith, Emily; Srinivasan, Sowmya; Austin, Joshua; and Sanchez, Fabio, "Social Dynamics of Gang Involvement: A Mathematical Approach" (2012). Science and Social Sciences. Event. Submission 6.
https://digitalcommons.linfield.edu/studsymp_sci/2012/all/6
Social Dynamics of Gang Involvement: A Mathematical Approach
Jereld R. Nicholson Library
Gangs have played a significant role in the social and political history of the United States, and continue to impact the country today, as gang violence and participation rates continue to grow. In this paper, we explore the dynamics of gang involvement between at-risk individuals, gang members, and reformed gang members using an SIR-type model. We investigate the effect that social influence of reformed gang members has on the "at-risk" population using a general function, which takes into account the cost of gang membership and a threat factor. Our results show that the influence of the reformed population is highly sensitive to initial gang member population size, recidivism, and cost.
Comments
Presenter: Emily Smith
3rd place award