Groups are often in competition for resources and, as a result, conflict between groups can be common. Researchers have long studied the factors that can lead to group conflict, but understanding the potential causes of conflict can be difficult due to the complex nature of human behavior and interactions.
The MIT researchers developed a computational model that uses evolutionary game theory to simulate the interactions between groups of individuals. The model takes into account factors such as the resources available to each group, the level of competition between groups, and the social norms that govern how individuals interact with each other.
The researchers found that their model could accurately predict when groups of individuals were likely to come into conflict. The model also showed that factors such as the level of competition and the social norms that govern how individuals interact with each other can have a significant impact on the likelihood of conflict.
The researchers say that their model can help to understand the factors that can lead to group conflict and can be used to develop strategies to reduce the risk of conflict between groups.
"Our model provides a new way to think about group conflict and the factors that can lead to it," says Marco A. Rucas, a research assistant in MIT's Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences and the lead author of the study. "We believe that this model can be used to help to develop strategies to reduce the risk of conflict between groups."
The study is published in the journal "Nature Human Behaviour."
