State chart visualization of the control flow within an ACT-R/PM user model

We present a novel visualization for ACT-R/PM models of cognitive processes to support the model development. Because the underlying production system paradigm does not specify an explicit flow of control, it is rather difficult to grasp the structure of this kind of user models. Therefore, we developed an algorithm that analyzes the interdependencies of ACT-R/PM productions by resembling the main parts of the matching process of the production cycle. The algorithm produces a graph with nodes as specifications of the state of the declarative memory and edges as productions which are applicable in these states. States are generalized to reduce the complexity of the control flow. The graph is transformed into a state-chart like visual representation. Goal oriented behavior with sub-goaling is considered with subgraphs. The algorithm is implemented as a plug-in for the integrated development environment eclipse.