Evolution of groups with a hierarchical structure

Teruaki Ohnishi

Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, 2012, vol. 391, issue 23, 5978-5986

Abstract: The universal occurrence of a hierarchical structure and its dynamic behavior in various types of group, living or abstract, are discussed. Here the word “group” refers not only to tangible aggregation but also to invisible aggregation of social psychological and of geopolitical meaning. The evolution of these groups is simulated using a model of agents distributed on the lattices of cellular grids. It is assumed that agents, fearing isolation, interact asymmetrically with each other with regard to exchange of “power”. As an indicator of hierarchy, the Gini coefficient is introduced. Example calculations are made for the aggregation, fusion and fission of animal groups, and for the appearance of a powerful empire and the rise and fall of supremacy. It is shown that such abstract objects evolve with time in accordance with the universal rules of groups common to birds and fish.

Keywords: Group evolution; Dynamic behavior; Hierarchical structure; Power exchange; Cellular automaton; Agent model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:phsmap:v:391:y:2012:i:23:p:5978-5986

DOI: 10.1016/j.physa.2012.06.023

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