This paper presents an approach to describing
group behavior using simple local interactions
among individuals. We propose that for a given
domain a set of basic interactions can be defined
which describes a large variety of group behaviors.
The methodology we present allows for simplified
qualitative analysis of group behavior through the
use of shared goals, kin recognition, and minimal
communication. W e also demonstrate h o w these
basic interactions can be simply combined into
more complex compound group behaviors.
To validate our approach we implemented an array of basic group behaviors in the domain of spatial interactions among homogeneous agents. We
describe some of the experimental results from two
distinct domains: a software environment, and a
collection of 20 mobile robots. We also describe
a compound behavior involving a combination of
the basic interactions. Finally, we compare the
performance of homogeneous groups to those of
dominance hierarchies on the same set of basic behaviors.