Browsing by Subject "Social interactions"
Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Item A new estimation approach for modeling activity-travel behavior : applications of the composite marginal likelihood approach in modeling multidimensional choices(2011-08) Ferdous, Nazneen; Bhat, Chandra R. (Chandrasekhar R.), 1964-; Machemehl, Randy; Abrevaya, Jason; Waller, Steven; Stolp, ChandlerThe research in the field of travel demand modeling is driven by the need to understand individuals’ behavior in the context of travel-related decisions as accurately as possible. In this regard, the activity-based approach to modeling travel demand has received substantial attention in the past decade, both in the research arena as well as in practice. At the same time, recent efforts have been focused on more fully realizing the potential of activity-based models by explicitly recognizing the multi-dimensional nature of activity-travel decisions. However, as more behavioral elements/dimensions are added, the dimensionality of the model systems tends to explode, making the estimation of such models all but infeasible using traditional inference methods. As a result, analysts and practitioners often trade-off between recognizing attributes that will make a model behaviorally more representative (from a theoretical viewpoint) and being able to estimate/implement a model (from a practical viewpoint). An alternative approach to deal with the estimation complications arising from multi-dimensional choice situations is the technique of composite marginal likelihood (CML). This is an estimation technique that is gaining substantial attention in the statistics field, though there has been relatively little coverage of this method in transportation and other fields. The CML approach is a conceptually and pedagogically simpler simulation-free procedure (relative to traditional approaches that employ simulation techniques), and has the advantage of reproducibility of the results. Under the usual regularity assumptions, the CML estimator is consistent, unbiased, and asymptotically normally distributed. The discussion above indicates that the CML approach has the potential to contribute in the area of travel demand modeling in a significant way. For example, the approach can be used to develop conceptually and behaviorally more appealing models to examine individuals’ travel decisions in a joint framework. The overarching goal of the current research work is to demonstrate the applicability of the CML approach in the area of activity-travel demand modeling and to highlight the enhanced features of the choice models estimated using the CML approach. The goal of the dissertation is achieved in three steps as follows: (1) by evaluating the performance of the CML approach in multivariate situations, (2) by developing multidimensional choice models using the CML approach, and (3) by demonstrating applications of the multidimensional choice models developed in the current dissertation.Item The normativity and reasonability of human rationality(2009-05) Williams, Fred Madison; Asher, NicholasIn my dissertation, I argue that rationality, for real humans, is best understood as a strategy for communication and interacting in a social environment. In particular, I argue that humans are rational to the extent that they are able to understand and be understood by others, to the extent that they can give and accept reasons and explanations. This raises a pair of questions. The first concerns the source of the norms for giving and accepting reasons. The second is why we should accept and follow these norms if they are not guaranteed to preserve truth or optimize outcomes. I address the first question by arguing that these norms function as constraints on our imaginations, on the ways in which we can think about or understand the world. This goes beyond the traditional view that these norms govern acceptable inferences. Rather, I argue, the more significant function of these norms is to govern the structure of our reasoning in the sense of guiding considerations about the relevance and form of our understandings of situations. This suggests an answer to the second question. We ought to accept these norms because they are self-confirming. Following them allows us to communicate and interact with others who follow these same norms. In those endeavors that require interaction and coordination in a social group, being understood is frequently more important than being right.Item The social activity of young bilingual writers in a two-way immersion classroom : "¡Oye Victor! ¡Voy a hacer un libro de ti!"(2009-05) Rodríguez, Ana Laura; Reifel, Robert StuartThis qualitative research study built on the existing research on young children’s composing. Although many researchers have examined the social nature of young children’s composing, there is little to no research that has focused on the social work of young bilingual children who are learning to write in two languages. This study explored the social activity of bilingual kindergarten writers in a two-way bilingual immersion program. Specifically, it examined (a) the face-to-face interactions of young bilingual writers, (b) the ways in which children’s interactions related to the written/drawn products that were being created at the writing center and during journal time and (c) the oral language that was being used as children engaged in writing activities. Data were collected for five months in a two-way immersion classroom in South Texas school district. Data sources, including expanded field notes, video recordings of students’ interactions, written/drawn artifacts and informal interviews with the students and the teacher were analyzed using the constant comparative method and microethnographic discourse analysis. Analysis revealed that bilingual children’s interactions were varied and complex. As they explored written language alongside their peers, the young writers in this study navigated through multiple peer worlds that were defined in part by the language and/or languages that were being spoken. In order to participate in these worlds the children had to draw on their entire linguistic repertoire, as well as differentiated social understandings that are unique to bilingual individuals. As children attempted to initiate interactions with their peers, they assumed the role of linguist; they made purposeful decisions about how and when they used both of their languages. Factors that influenced children’s oral language use included comfort level, peer culture and the out-of-classroom context. Also noteworthy is that these children drew on both languages to support their biliteracy learning. Both Spanish dominant children and those children who were balanced in their language use drew on their Spanish orally to support their writing in English while English dominant students tapped into their Spanish speaking capabilities to support their writing in English.Item Social Interactions and We-Intentions for Agrivisitors? Service Encounters(2010-10-12) Choo, HyungsukThis study addresses how agrivisitors' social interactions affect satisfaction and, in turn, revisit intention. Adopting social exchange theory and resource theory, the study proposes that social interactions with service providers, local residents, companion visitors, and other customers influence satisfaction, which in turn affects revisit intentions. Revisit intentions, in particular, are considered as social intentions which are shared with other people who travel together. Furthermore, this study argues that the effect of social interactions on satisfaction is stronger for visitors who have greater environmental concerns than those who are less concerned. An onsite and online survey were conducted to examine the proposed model and test the hypotheses. Subjects (N= 400) were visitors who visited organic farms with their companions. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to test the proposed model and hypothesized relationships among the constructs. The analyses were performed with Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS 7.0). One construct (i.e., social interaction with local residents) was removed due to its high nonresponse rate, so the two hypotheses associated with this construct were not tested. Other than that most hypotheses except one were supported or partially supported by the data and the proposed model also had an acceptable fit to the data. Results of the present study provide a direction for the development of a theoretical framework to understand revisit intentions by seeking to improve the social exchange relationships with visitors. In addition, practical implications are presented for organic farms involved in or considering tourism businesses.