Eur. Phys. J. B 70, 249-255 (2009)
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjb/e2009-00214-4

Deterministic and stochastic components of nonlinear Markov models with an application to decision making during the bailout votes 2008 (USA)

Center for the Ecological Study of Perception and Action, Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, 406 Babbidge Road, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA

Corresponding author: ^a till.frank@uconn.edu

Received: 27 December 2008
Published online: 23 June 2009

Abstract

We apply a nonlinear Markov chain model to examine decision making in the US house of representatives during the period between the bailout votes of September 29 and October 3, 2008. We show how to determine deterministic and stochastic properties of the nonlinear model and, in doing so, estimate the strength of the attractors and the amplitudes of fluctuating forces that putatively influenced representatives' decision making.