A computational model of hierarchical decision systems

Modeling Group Size and Scalar Stress by Logistic Regression from an Archaeological Perspective

“…In this scheme, the decision-making flow would move bottom up, involving consensual decisions at each step. Remarkably, Reynolds [81] has formally showed that nested levels of decision can speed up problems’ solution by their ability to partition the problem into sub-problems that can further solved each at every different organizational level, so supporting Johnson’s findings.…”

Modeling Group Size and Scalar Stress by Logistic Regression from an Archaeological Perspective

“…In this scheme, the decision-making flow would move bottom up, involving consensual decisions at each step. Remarkably, Reynolds [81] has formally showed that nested levels of decision can speed up problems’ solution by their ability to partition the problem into sub-problems that can further solved each at every different organizational level, so supporting Johnson’s findings.…”

Control strategies and polity competition in the lower Yi-Luo Valley, North China

“…The above discussion on the fundamental distinction between chiefdom and state is built on a theoretical study of hierarchy formation and communication stress (Johnson, 1978(Johnson, , 1982Reynolds, 1984). This notion can adequately monitor the central question of political evolution; that is, structural change of the ruling apparatus.…”

Information and Its Role in Hunter-Gatherer Bands

“…In terms of how the differential distribution of information affects group action when the main means of mobilizing information is through open discussion and planning to reach consensus, one may also point to the well-established fact that in such conditions of decision-making there is an optimum number of participants, or information sources. This number is around six, with the effectiveness of decision-making falling off sharply as this number becomes either larger or smaller Reynolds 1984). If we assume that decisions are made primarily by the active adult members of a band, this means that the optimum group for deciding anything that relates to women's activities (and that therefore demands the mobilization of information held specifically or largely by the women of the group) would be six active, adult women.…”

Modeling Group Size and Scalar Stress by Logistic Regression from an Archaeological Perspective

“…In this scheme, the decision-making flow would move bottom up, involving consensual decisions at each step. Remarkably, Reynolds [81] has formally showed that nested levels of decision can speed up problems’ solution by their ability to partition the problem into sub-problems that can further solved each at every different organizational level, so supporting Johnson’s findings.…”

Control strategies and polity competition in the lower Yi-Luo Valley, North China

“…The above discussion on the fundamental distinction between chiefdom and state is built on a theoretical study of hierarchy formation and communication stress (Johnson, 1978(Johnson, , 1982Reynolds, 1984). This notion can adequately monitor the central question of political evolution; that is, structural change of the ruling apparatus.…”

Information and Its Role in Hunter-Gatherer Bands

“…In terms of how the differential distribution of information affects group action when the main means of mobilizing information is through open discussion and planning to reach consensus, one may also point to the well-established fact that in such conditions of decision-making there is an optimum number of participants, or information sources. This number is around six, with the effectiveness of decision-making falling off sharply as this number becomes either larger or smaller Reynolds 1984). If we assume that decisions are made primarily by the active adult members of a band, this means that the optimum group for deciding anything that relates to women's activities (and that therefore demands the mobilization of information held specifically or largely by the women of the group) would be six active, adult women.…”

Modeling Group Size and Scalar Stress by Logistic Regression from an Archaeological Perspective

“…In this scheme, the decision-making flow would move bottom up, involving consensual decisions at each step. Remarkably, Reynolds [81] has formally showed that nested levels of decision can speed up problems’ solution by their ability to partition the problem into sub-problems that can further solved each at every different organizational level, so supporting Johnson’s findings.…”

Control strategies and polity competition in the lower Yi-Luo Valley, North China

“…The above discussion on the fundamental distinction between chiefdom and state is built on a theoretical study of hierarchy formation and communication stress (Johnson, 1978(Johnson, , 1982Reynolds, 1984). This notion can adequately monitor the central question of political evolution; that is, structural change of the ruling apparatus.…”

Information and Its Role in Hunter-Gatherer Bands

“…In terms of how the differential distribution of information affects group action when the main means of mobilizing information is through open discussion and planning to reach consensus, one may also point to the well-established fact that in such conditions of decision-making there is an optimum number of participants, or information sources. This number is around six, with the effectiveness of decision-making falling off sharply as this number becomes either larger or smaller Reynolds 1984). If we assume that decisions are made primarily by the active adult members of a band, this means that the optimum group for deciding anything that relates to women's activities (and that therefore demands the mobilization of information held specifically or largely by the women of the group) would be six active, adult women.…”