# A Promise Theory Perspective on the Role of Intent in Group Dynamics

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2402.00598 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2402.00598/

## Key facts

- Cited by 2 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 1 Feb 2024.

## Built on by (most cited first, 2 of 2)

- [γ(3,4) `Attention' in Cognitive Agents: Ontology-Free Knowledge Representations With Promise Theoretic Semantics](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2512.19084/) (2025)
- [Quantitative Promise Theory: Intentionality and Inference in Autonomous Agents](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2606.08552/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

We present a simple argument using Promise Theory and dimensional analysis for the Dunbar scaling hierarchy, supported by recent data from group formation in Wikipedia editing. We show how the assumption of a common priority seeds group alignment until the costs associated with attending to the group outweigh the benefits in a detailed balance scenario. Subject to partial efficiency of implementing promised intentions, we can reproduce a series of compatible rates that balance growth with entropy.