Regensburg 2010 – scientific programme

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SOE: Fachverband Physik sozio-ökonomischer Systeme

SOE 9: Social Systems, Opinion and Group Dynamics I

SOE 9.2: Talk

Tuesday, March 23, 2010, 13:00–13:30, H44

Agent-based modelling of nest-site choice by honeybee swarms — •Tobias Galla — Theoretical Physics, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK

In a recent paper List, Elsholtz and Seeley [Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. B 364 (2009) 755] devised an agent-based model of the the nest-choice dynamics in swarms of honeybees. Using tools from statistical physics we here present a simplified version of their model, and confirm analytically that both interdependence and independence are needed for the bees to reach a consensus on the best nest site. Based on our analytical theory it is possible to characterize the co-ordination outcome exactly on the deterministic level, and to a good approximation if stochastic effects are taken into account. The model applies more generally to decision making processes in humans, and can be used to address questions of consensus formation in committees or groups.

Reference: Tobias Galla, Journal of Theoretical Biology Volume 262 (2010) 186-196