Catastrophe theory
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| Publication date | 2005 |
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| Book title | Encyclopedia of Statistics in Behavioral Science |
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| ISBN (electronic) |
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| Volume | Issue number | 1 |
| Pages (from-to) | 234-239 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Publisher | Chichester: Wiley |
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| Abstract |
Catastrophe theory describes how small, continuous changes in control parameters (i.e., independent variables that influence the state of a system) can have sudden, discontinuous effects on dependent variables. Such discontinuous, jumplike changes are called phase-transitions or catastrophes. Examples include the sudden collapse of a bridge under slowly mounting pressure, and the freezing of water when temperature is gradually decreased. This entry expands on the ideas inherent in catastrophe models. |
| Document type | Entry for encyclopedia/dictionary |
| Language | English |
| Published at | https://doi.org/10.1002/0470013192.bsa076 |
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