Allelomimesis: Power-laws in social cluster formation

Abstract

We have formulated a model that is able to account for the power-law size distribution of disparate systems ranging from sardinella schools to financial firms. This paper discusses a model based on a particular type of behavior known as allelomimesis that is evident in social insects and animals, in general. We have found that allelomimesis is an appropriate interaction mechanism that is able to explain the size distributions of animal groups (herds, schools, flocks) and human clusters (cities, firms, barrios). Furthermore, we have found that group formation due to allelomimesis naturally leads to enhanced survival of individuals.