Territorial Developments Based on Graffiti: a Statistical Mechanics Approach
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Publication:6234796
DOI10.1016/J.PHYSA.2012.08.001arXiv1208.0401MaRDI QIDQ6234796FDOQ6234796
Authors: Alethea Barbaro, Lincoln Chayes, Maria R. D'Orsogna 
Publication date: 2 August 2012
Abstract: We study the well-known sociological phenomenon of gang aggregation and territory formation through an interacting agent system defined on a lattice. We introduce a two-gang Hamiltonian model where agents have red or blue affiliation but are otherwise indistinguishable. In this model, all interactions are indirect and occur only via graffiti markings, on-site as well as on nearest neighbor locations. We also allow for gang proliferation and graffiti suppression. Within the context of this model, we show that gang clustering and territory formation may arise under specific parameter choices and that a phase transition may occur between well-mixed, possibly dilute configurations and well separated, clustered ones. Using methods from statistical mechanics, we study the phase transition between these two qualitatively different scenarios. In the mean-field rendition of this model, we identify parameter regimes where the transition is first or second order. In all cases, we have found that the transitions are a consequence solely of the gang to graffiti couplings, implying that direct gang to gang interactions are not strictly necessary for gang territory formation; in particular, graffiti may be the sole driving force behind gang clustering. We further discuss possible sociological -- as well as ecological -- ramifications of our results.
Models of societies, social and urban evolution (91D10) Mathematical geography and demography (91D20) Spatial models in sociology (91D25) Lattice systems (Ising, dimer, Potts, etc.) and systems on graphs arising in equilibrium statistical mechanics (82B20) Phase transitions (general) in equilibrium statistical mechanics (82B26)
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