Graph explorer

Stochastic selection processes

We propose a mathematical framework for natural selection in finite populations. Traditionally, many of the selection-based processes used to describe cultural and genetic evolution (such as imitation and birth-death models) have been studied on a case-by-case basis. Over time, these models have grown in sophistication to include population structure, differing phenotypes, and various forms of interaction asymmetry, among other features. Furthermore, many processes inspired by natural selection, such as evolutionary algorithms in computer science, possess characteristics that should fall within the realm of a "selection process," but so far there is no overarching theory encompassing these evolutionary processes. The framework of $\textit{stochastic selection processes}$ we present here provides such a theory and consists of three main components: a $\textit{population state space}$, an $\textit{aggregate payoff function}$, and an $\textit{update rule}$. A population state space is a generalization of the notion of population structure, and it can include non-spatial information such as strategy-mutation rates and phenotypes. An aggregate payoff function allows one to gener