Statistical characteristics of the mean level of an elite group utility in selection
Introduction:The development of biological and social systems is largely determined by the utility level of the elite group which stands out from the main population, being characterized by a high status. An elite group development process is random due to unavoidable errors in selection. The degree of influence of these errors on the utility level of an elite group can differ depending on the selection rules.Purpose:Evaluation of the influence of selection rules on the dynamics of the mean level of an elite group utility.Results:We have studied the dynamically changing probabilistic characteristics of an average elite group utility level, following two different selection scenarios: with a fixed threshold, and with a threshold determined by the mean level of the group utility achieved by the moment of the selection. It has been found out that in the first scenario the mean level of the elite group utility tends to a level whose value, even when the selection error probability is high, is greater than the mean utility level for the whole population. However, if it is unacceptable to reduce the mean level of the elite utility below the selection threshold, the error probability should be less than or equal to the square of the probability that a population member is selected for the elite group. It is proved that in the second scenario the mean level of the elite group utility tends to the mean value of this parameter for the whole population, regardless of the selection error probability. The latter affects only the duration of the transition process during which the elite «dissolves» in the population and its representatives cease to differ on average from the other members of the population in terms of their utility. The concept of critical probability of selection errors is introduced, at which the mean level of the elite group utility is equal to the lowest permissible boundary.Practical relevance:It is proved that correct elite development requires a selection scenario with a fixed high threshold. The calculated value of the critical probability of selection errors can be used to control the development of an elite group.