"Evolution of Signaling Systems with Multiple Senders and Receivers"

Brian Skyrms
(University of California-Irvine, Logic and Philosophy of Science and Economics)

Abstract:
Sender-Receiver games are simple, tractable models of information transmission. They provide a basic setting for the study the evolution of meaning. It is possible to investigate not only the equilibrium structure of these games, but also the dynamics of evolution and learning – with sometimes surprising results. Generalizations of the usual binary game to interactions with multiple senders, multiple receivers, or both, provide the elements of signaling networks. These can be seen as the loci of information processing, of group decisions, and of teamwork.