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Theory of Social Group Dynamics

Abstract Details

2019, Master of Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Biology.
Group structure plays a vital role in understanding the ecology of cooperative behavior. Not only do groups provide the stage for cooperative behaviors to occur, but they also mediate the way in which these behaviors scale up to influence populations. In particular, intergroup dynamics are known to provide the means by which cooperation ultimately determines population dynamics. In this thesis, I consider intergroup dynamics from two perspectives. First, at the level of the population, I show that minimal intergroup interactions are sufficient to buffer the population against density dependence occurring at the group level. Second, I consider how individual decisions and various within group strategies can affect the efficiency of group fissions (a specific, important intergroup interaction). This thesis thus provides two perspectives on analyzing the importance and role of group structure in social species.
Karen Abbott (Advisor)
Ryan Martin (Committee Member)
Robin Snyder (Committee Member)
Sarah Diamond (Committee Chair)
104 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Lerch, B. A. (2019). Theory of Social Group Dynamics [Master's thesis, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1558361571474294

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Lerch, Brian. Theory of Social Group Dynamics. 2019. Case Western Reserve University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1558361571474294.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Lerch, Brian. "Theory of Social Group Dynamics." Master's thesis, Case Western Reserve University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1558361571474294

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)