Published online by Cambridge University Press: 14 July 2016
The purpose of this paper is to explore the properties of a new model which can describe the interaction among individuals. Various other models have been proposed, but all assume that each individual acts independently of all others. Our model permits the assumption that individuals can be influenced and dominated by other individuals. We also demonstrate how this model can describe the interaction of various species in an ecosystem. This model will lead naturally to the definition of a population index of diversity. A means of estimating the values of the model will also be given.