A Computer Simulation of a Sociological Experiment

The Gathering program, a computer simulation based on the principles of perception control theory (PCT), makes it possible to test C. McPhail's & R.T Wohlstein's claim (see SA 35:1/87R1927) that PCT can explain purposive individual & collective behavior, ranging from individuals & clusters milling within a gathering to marching demonstrators. Although the Gathering program is not yest sophisticated enough to simulate all the details of McPhail's & Wohlstein's experiment, it has reproduced their main finding -- that more reference signals in common results in greater coordination of collective behavior. The three features needed for future experimental manipulations & more advanced simulations on collective locomotion & other forms of collective behavior are also discussed. 1 Figure, 14 References. M. Maguire