Social systems simulation person modeling as systemic constructivist approach

Abstract

In recent years, social simulation has become one of the main tools for social research due to its ability to explore and validate social phenomena. While simulations traditionally consider populations as whole, and as such they tend to miss individual decisions and cultural reasons for actions. Our work focuses on the need for models that take into account personality for individuals, and its importance for characterizing virtual persons inside a simulation. We discuss different personality models and define a Systemic Constructivist Fuzzy Model that includes Transactional Analysis Theory as a basis for defining personality structure and behavior. An example is overviewed in a simulation for a typical social interaction case study. An autonomous intelligent agent is implemented, and the corresponding interactions with other agents inside a simulation are analyzed. Several diagrams in UML representation are given in order to discuss design and implementation features in Agent Oriented Paradigm. We conclude with a discussion on how this approach helps to a social scientist explore social processes and individual behavior in a more systematic way. © 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.