![]() ![]() Rules do not have to be simple, but if robust, efficient coordination is possible with simple rules, there is no need for complex individual behaviors to evolve. Rules typically apply to individuals interacting with their neighbors, and exploit positive and/or negative feedback mechanisms leading to coordinated group dynamics. While inspired by ants, our results are generalizable to other collective decisions with deadlocks, and demonstrate that groups of behaviorally simple individuals with no memory and extremely limited information can break symmetry and reach a consensus in a decision between two equal options.Īcross organizational scales, the patterns and complexity of many biological systems emerge from groups of individuals obeying relatively simple rules, often without a leader. This flexibility makes the behavioral rules in the informed case relatively robust to deficiencies in the individuals’ capabilities. Each of these is a potential adaptation for efficient cooperative transport. ![]() We also find that groups reach consensus more quickly if they have either a shared bias, high sensitivity to group behavior, or finely tuned persistence. We find that groups break deadlocks only if individuals more readily give up when they are going against the majority, corresponding to rule type 3 –such groups are “informed.” These behavioral rules succeed through positive and negative feedbacks that are implemented in our model via a single mechanism: individuals only need to measure the relative group sizes to make effective decisions. We define and investigate three types of behavioral rules governing individual behavior that differ in the information available: individuals either 1) have no information, 2) can measure transport success, or 3) measure success while also knowing whether they are aligned with the majority. Using deterministic and stochastic models, we investigate behavioral factors that affect coordination. Our goal is to determine whether groups following simple behavioral rules can reach a consensus using minimal information. We model mechanisms of coordination among ants during cooperative transport, a challenging task that requires a consensus on travel direction. Coordinated collective behaviors often emerge from simple rules governing the interactions of individuals in groups.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |