FURTHER PROBLEMS IN INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP SURVIVAL

Abstract

Six mostly unsolved problems in individual and group survival are discussed. These are of the following general descriptions: At time t an individual, belonging to a group, as resources x(t). These are used up in a specified way, but at times t 91), t(2),...opportunities arise. The individual makes a decision at each time and his resources are then change , hopefully, increased in a random manner which depends on the decision. Thus at each opportunity the individual is thought of as playing a game, either with nature or with other members of the group. The outcome of the game for each individual is his change in resources. The individual is assumed to be interested in urvival in the sense that x(t) be positive. In particular, starting with a large time X(O) = X, he is interested in the probability of surviving for a large time t. The following cases are considered: (1) where the opportunities are fixed; (2) where the opportunities are random; (3) where 2 individuals are deriving resources rom the environment; (4) a leadership pr blem; (5) a spen -thrift's problem; and 96) surviving as long as possible.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 19, 1962
Accession Number
AD0291839

Entities

People

  • James B. Macqueen

Organizations

  • University of California, Los Angeles

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Behavior And Behavior Mechanisms
  • Behavioral Disciplines And Activities
  • Behavioral Sciences
  • Biological Phenomena
  • Ecological And Environmental Phenomena
  • Environment
  • Group Dynamics
  • Human Behavior
  • Leadership
  • Probability
  • Survival

Fields of Study

  • Mathematics

Readers

  • Educational Psychology
  • Game Theory.
  • Systems Analysis and Design