Memory and self-induced shocks in an evolutionary population competing for limited resources

We present a detailed discussion of the role played by memory, and the nature of self-induced shocks, in an evolutionary population competing for limited resources. Our study builds on a previously introduced multiagent system [Phys. Rev. Lett. 82 3360 1999] which has attracted significant attention in the literature. This system exhibits self-segregation of the population based on the “gene” value [Formula presented] (where [Formula presented]), transitions to “frozen” populations as a function of the global resource level, and self-induced large changes which spontaneously arise as the dynamical system evolves. We find that the large, macroscopic self-induced shocks that arise are controlled by microscopic changes within extreme subgroups of the population (i.e., subgroups with “gene” values [Formula presented] and [Formula presented]).