The Geometry of Decision Making

A key challenge for animals is choosing between spatially distributed options – whether it’s deciding between potential food sources, determining where to take refuge, or choosing who to associate with.

Couzin conducts research on the connections between collective behavior and decisions made together. Studies of consensus building in a group can shed light on the evolution of complex social groups. Evidence of democratic behavior is found in certain animal species – observations regarding consensus building, conflict resolution, and mediator roles, for example, apply to both animal and human groups.

Prof. Dr. Iain Couzin is one of the most influential scientists in the world. He is director of the Max Planck Institute for Behavioral Biology in Radolfzell and professor of biodiversity and collective behavior at the University of Konstanz. In 2022 he received the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize.

Language: English

In the framework of the International Science Festival – Geist Heidelberg