1971/01/01 by James M. Sakoda · 5 citations
Social Sciences · #Social Media and Politics
paper · doi:10.1080/0022250x.1971.9989791
crossref issued 1971/01/01 · crossref published 1971/01/01 · crossref published-print 1971/01/01 · openalex publication_date 1971/01/01 · crossref created 2010/08/26 · crossref deposited 2016/12/18 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · crossref indexed 2026/07/30 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31
The checkerboard model is a computer simulation of social interaction among members of two groups. The checkerboard represents a social field on which two groups of checkers move on the board on the basis of positive, neutral or negative attitudes toward one another assigned to them. The resulting pattern of positions of the pieces represents the social structure. The theoretical basis for the checkerboard model is explained and the rules for operating the model are outlined. This is followed by illustrative runs named Crossroads, Mutual Suspicion, Segregation, Social Climber, Social Worker, Boy‐Girl, Couples and Husband‐Wives, showing intermediate and final positions on the board for each. It is concluded that the checkerboard model is capable of demonstrating the intimate connection between attitudes of group members toward their own group and toward others to a continuous social interactional process and to the resulting social structure.