Physics of Behavior

The behavior of animals, as individuals and in groups, represents some of the most fascinating phenomena in the living world. Yet, its complexity challenges our ability to understand, model, and mimic. What rules govern the complex dynamics of an animal as it seeks out food, attracts a mate, or challenges a predator? Topics in this realm vary from quantification and modeling of individuals in controlled laboratory settings, to systems of flocking birds and schooling fish performing natural collective behavior, to the intricate interplay between small groups of individuals during activities such as courtship and aggression. In the past decades, significant progress has been made in quantifying what animals do and modeling their dynamics. We will study behavior and social interactions across biological systems. The primary goals are to learn the modeling approaches that are currently used, identify key questions and organizing principles in the nascent field of the Physics of Behavior, and encourage new directions over the coming years. We will draw from a diverse range of efforts to address these challenges, including experimental work as well as theoretical, computational, and robotic models.