Group self-correction toward moderate size emerges from expansion and contraction dynamics

Evidence

A central tenet of ODT is that group identification will be greatest among groups in which the needs for inclusion and distinctiveness are equally satisfied. Thus, we plan to run simulations to determine whether attempts to satisfy this “equal satisfaction” constraint lead to the formation of groups that are of moderate size (i.e., optimally distinct). Over time (i.e., sequential time steps of the model), agents could band together into groups, and groups that are very small compared to other groups in the context might expand (by attracting other members) and groups that are very large might contract (by expelling members). These patterns of expansion and contraction could ultimately lead to convergence on a set of moderately sized groups to which most members of the population belong. — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 845

Categorization

• XREF: Echoes ecological allometry and city-size distributions — logistic growth, homeostatic regulation toward an equilibrium. Also parallels equilibrium-seeking in economic market models.