Explorative Modeling and Simulation of Cognitive Agents

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Adelinde Uhrmacher
• Subject Area: Image and Language Processing, Computer Graphics and Visualisation, Human Computer Interaction, Ubiquitous and Wearable Computing
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 534708586

Due to the uncertainty about the underlying mechanisms, simulation studies of sociological, socio-ecological, or economic systems are often exploratory in nature. When decision processes are modeled, the realization and interpretation of multiple models based on different cognitive behavioral theories become important in finding answers to research questions. One challenge lies in the selection, operationalization, and concrete implementation of the cognitive behavioral theories on which the decision processes are based. Another challenge lies in the empirical foundation of the models since suitable data are often unavailable in the required scope and quality and play an important role, especially in the exploration and selection of models. In this context, using so-called stylized facts: abstract descriptions of typical and repeatedly observed phenomena opens up an alternative for the empirical foundation and thus also evaluation of alternative models. In the project "Explorative Modeling and Simulation of Cognitive Agents" (E-MoSi-CA), methods will be developed to operationalize behavioral theories and to generate (alternative) agent-based models based on different behavioral theories and simulation tools. In addition, approaches will be studied and developed to support the formalization and interpretation of stylized facts by the modeler and the automatic evaluation of stylized facts in the context of validation and calibration. The research will extend the methodological portfolio of exploratory agent-based modeling and simulation by operationalizing cognitive theories and stylized facts.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants