182 
Psyche 
[September 
A DISCUSSION OF HUMAN AND INSECT SOCIETIES 
By Milton F. Crowell 
In considering insect and human societies together we 
face several problems. 1. What is a society? 2. By what 
methods do insects and men solve the problems of a social 
life? 3. Is there any reason to believe that, if human and 
insect societies differ, they may, eventually, evolve into the 
same type? 
To define a society in terms that will permit the inclusion 
of both insects and men, and exclude animals not usually 
regarded as social, is well-nigh impossible, but the following 
definition is suggested : A society is a group of organisms 
of the same species in which specific survival is dependent 
upon association in a group ; the characteristics of the group 
as a unit differ from those arising as a mere sum of its 
individual parts; the functions of the group necessary for 
its existence, therefore necessary for the .survival of the 
species, are carried out by a division of labor among the 
individuals of the group; the successful carrying out of 
these functions is dependent upon the ability of the group 
to exploit a given area, or trophoporic field. As a corollary 
to this definition, implied, but not specifically stated in it, a 
society must be self-perpetuating. 
The problems of social life are contained in definition of 
society, and they over-lap. 
1. The creation of the group. 
2. The maintenance of the group. 
a. The re-creation of the group. 
b. Provision of food and shelter. 
(1). Exploitation of the trophoporic field. 
c. Defence of the group. 
