Social Dynamics

Social processes are pervasive and manifest critical consequences. They contribute to and shape a wide range of vital issues concerning national and homeland security, including terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, international conflict, and state failure. Social dynamics also play a role in ecological and economic topics such as climate change, resource scarcity, land use, preservation of endangered species, epidemics, consumer preferences, and diverse cultural lifestyles. All such social domains are interconnected in complex ways. As a result, one type of problem frequently forms the context for, and alters the dynamics of, another.

In each of these areas, the social component is typically one of the most difficult to model effectively. Within each social domain, the underlying dynamics may include the persistence and transformation of belief systems, the evolution of individual and group priorities, innovation in technical and social practices, and the idiosyncratic effects of direct social interaction. For these reasons, Argonne maintains a portfolio of social research projects, emphasizing theory, methodology and modeling, and a wide range of application areas.

Focus Areas

• Social Theory
• Socio-Technical Systems
• Cultural Interactions
• Socio-economics
• Human Factors

For more information, contact:
Charles M. Macal, Director
Center for Complex Adaptive Agent Systems Simulation
Decision and Information Sciences Division
Argonne National Laboratory
9700 South Cass Ave., Bldg. 900
Argonne, IL 60439
Phone: 630-252-3767
Fax: 630-252-6073
E-mail Charles M. Macal