Condorcet's theory describes collective decisions, outlining how democratic decisions tend to outperform dictatorial ones. If, for example, each member of a jury has only partial information, the majority decision is more likely to be correct than a decision arrived at by a single juror. Moreover, the probability of a correct decision increases with the size of the jury.
According to Dr List and his colleagues, the process eventually leads to a consensus on the best site and the breakaway swarm migrates. The decision is remarkably reliable, with the bees choosing the best site even when there are only small differences between alternative sites.
Dr List and his colleagues concluded that the ability of bees to identify successfully and quickly the best site depends on both the bees interdependence in communicating the whereabouts of the best site, and their independence in confirming this information for themselves.
By manipulating the robotic cockroaches, which were in the minority, Halloy was able to persuade the living cockroaches to choose an inappropriate shelter—even one which they had rejected before being infiltrated by the robots.
Franks and his associates reported how the insects reduce the problems associated with making a necessarily swift choice. If the ants' existing nest becomes suddenly threatened, the insects choose certain ants to act as scouts to find a new nest. How quickly they accomplish the transfer to a new home depends not only on how soon the best available site is found, but also on how quickly the migration there can be achieved.
Questions
1. Certain members can influence the rest of the group to alter a previous decision.
2. Individual verification of a proposed choice is important for a successful decision outcome.
3. The more individuals taking part in a decision, the better the decision will be.
4. The decision-making process of certain insects produces excellent results even when fine distinctions are required.