NK MODEL
| Collection | International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
| Vol. (num.) | 2(2) |
| ID | ◀ 2289 ▶ |
| Object type | Methodology or model |
A formal model of “rugged fitness landscapes”.
This model has been introduced by S. KAUFFMAN to represent the internal constraints of a complex system. “In this model, N refers to the number of parts of a system — genes in a genotype, amino acids in a protein, or otherwise. Each part marks a fitness contribution which depends upon that part and upon K other parts among the N. That is, K reflects how richly cross-coupled the system is… K measures the richness of epistatic interactions among the components of the system” (1993, p.40).
KAUFFMAN's development and uses of his model (in genetics) are quite technical, but the model seems to be potentially very general.
An intesresting development about this type of model, related to evolutive fitness landcapes can be found in P. BAK's 1996 book “How Nature Works” (p.118-27).
These models are also known as Template:Ency entity models, C being the number of couplings between some particular trait in various interacting species.
See also
Co-evolution, Red Queen Evolutive parable