2006/02/14 by D. M. Smith, David M. D. Smith, Neil F. Johnson
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Decision Sciences · Physics and Astronomy · #Complex Network Analysis Techniques #Game Theory and Applications #Opinion Dynamics and Social Influence #cond-mat.stat-mech #physics.soc-ph #q-bio.PE
paper · pdf · doi:10.1016/j.physa.2006.01.056
published as Physica A, Vol. 363, p. 151-158 (2006) · Special Issue on Complex Networks, edited by Dirk Helbing
openalex publication_date 2006/02/14 · arxiv created 2006/04/18 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
We present a simple model for the formation of pairs in multi-agent populations of type A and B which move freely on a spatial network. Each agent of population A (and B) is labeled as Ai (and Bj) with i=1,.. NA (and j=1,..NB) and carries its own individual list of characteristics or 'phenotype'. When agents from opposite populations encounter one another on the network, they can form a relationship if not already engaged in one. The length of time for which any given pair stays together depends on the compatibility of the two constituent agents. Possible applications include the human dating scenario, and the commercial domain where two types of businesses A and B have members of each type looking for a business partner, i.e. Ai+Bj-->Rij. The pair Rij then survives for some finite time before dissociating Rij-->Ai+Bj. There are many possible generalizations of this basic setup. Here we content ourselves with some initial numerical results for the simplest of network topologies, together with some accompanying analytic analysis.