Read a Dominance Hierarchy from Behaviour Data
A focused NSEB read for turning a behavioural frequency matrix into a social rank order.
Living-system questions are solved by matching a structure or organism to its function, process and stated condition.
Read rows as actions
In the table, the row hen performs the pecking and the column hen receives it. A hen that pecks several others while receiving no counter-pecks is higher in the dominance hierarchy. First find the dominant row, then rank the remaining hens using the same direction of evidence.
Build the order step by step
Q pecks P, R, and S; R pecks P and S; S pecks P; P pecks none. The order is therefore Q > R > S > P. Do not add values down a column without remembering that the question defines row as aggressor.
OlympIQ exam lens
- ✓Row = hen that pecks; column = hen pecked.
- ✓Start with the hen that dominates all others.
- ✓Use direct interactions to order the remaining hens.
A high number in Q’s row means Q pecks another hen; it does not mean Q is being pecked.
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