Dynamics of Affect and Cognition in Simulated Agents: Bridging the Gap between Experimental and Simulation Research

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to propose a simulation framework combining Soft-System Methodology, System Dynamics, and the Cognitive Affective Personality System model, to facilitate the design and development of agents (e.g., agent based models, software agents) with interacting affective and cognitive units. A review of the literature supports the building of a third-order positive causal-loop model between the constructs Affectivity, Self-Efficacy, and Perceived Task Complexity. The model is evaluated to exemplify the use of this framework to study affective states in simulated agents. The behavior of the model is consistent with previous research, corroborating its utility as a tool for endowing complex agents in simulations with mechanisms of human affectivity, and as a computational artifact to develop affective computing systems. The framework, incorporating soft-constructs into simulation models and supporting the study of their process-based (dynamic) interactions, serves to bridge the gap between experimental and simulation research. The limitations of the approach and directions for future research are also discussed. Dynamics of Affect and Cognition in Simulated Agents: Bridging the Gap between Experimental and Simulation Research