Everybody else is: Networks, power laws and peer contagion in the aggressive recess behavior of elementary school boys.
This paper develops a simple random network model of peer contagion in aggressive behavior among inner-city elementary school boys during recess periods. The model predicts a distribution of aggressive behaviors per recess period with a power law tail beginning at two aggressive behaviors and having a slope of approximately -1.5. Comparison of these values with values derived from observations of aggressive behaviors during recess at an inner-city elementary school provides empirical support for the model. These results suggest that fluctuations in aggressive behaviors during recess arise from the interactions between students, rather than from variations in the behavior of individual students. The results therefore support those interventions that aim to change the pattern of interaction between students.
Warren
Keith
K
The Ohio State University College of Social Work, Stillman Hall, 325Q, 1947 College Rd., Columbus, OH 43210, USA. warren.193@osu.edu
Craciun
Gheorghe
G
Anderson-Butcher
Dawn
D
D002648:Child; D006126:Group Processes; D006608:Hierarchy, Social; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016571:Neural Networks, Computer; D017711:Nonlinear Dynamics; D010379:Peer Group; D010988:Play and Playthings / Q000523:psychology*; D016012:Poisson Distribution; D011203:Poverty / Q000523:psychology; D011209:Power, Psychological; D012574:Schools; D012927:Social Control, Informal; D012932:Social Facilitation; D012944:Social Support; D014505:Urban Population