{
  "abstract": "Traditional models of collective behavior rely on prescribed interaction rules, leaving unresolved the question of how behavior arises from neural representations of space. Here, we develop a first-principles theory in which movement, decision-making, and collective organization emerge by coarse-graining fast neural dynamics on a topological representation of directional space. For a ring manifold encoding heading, this reduction yields a macroscopic theory of behavior: a decision landscape over directions that admits a harmonic decomposition. In this framework, behavior is governed by a spectral organization of directional information rather than ad hoc rules. We demonstrate that target-seeking, avoidance, choice, spatial decision-making, and diverse forms of collective motion arise as distinct organizations of the underlying harmonic landscape. The theory unifies neural representations, behavioral decisions, and collective dynamics in a single mathematical description.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": "2609.33896",
  "author_total": 2,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "Mohammad Salahshour"
    },
    {
      "name": "Iain D. Couzin"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/3ymjhbcfr4sda.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.48550/arxiv.2609.33896",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "3ymjhbcfr4sda",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/2609.33896",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "LicenseRef-arXiv-nonexclusive-1.0",
  "licence_label": "arXiv licence",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "http://arxiv.org/licenses/nonexclusive-distrib/1.0/",
  "metadata_licence": "CC0-1.0",
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "arxiv",
      "physics.bio-ph"
    ],
    [
      "arxiv",
      "q-bio.NC"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2805|Neural dynamics and brain function"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7214766208",
  "pdf_url": "https://arxiv.org/pdf/2609.33896",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-09-27",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/3ymjhbcfr4sda.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:25:12Z",
      "native_id": "2609.33896",
      "source": "arxiv",
      "url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/2609.33896"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "arxiv:q-bio.NC",
      "subfield": "neuroscience"
    },
    {
      "field": "physics",
      "origin": "arxiv:physics.bio-ph",
      "subfield": "biological-medical"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Harmonic Theory of Behavior",
  "title_text": "Harmonic Theory of Behavior",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:25:21Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/3ymjhbcfr4sda",
  "venue": "arXiv",
  "versions": []
}