Modeling and Simulation of Human Behavior: An Introduction

By Emory Sanders

Understanding human behavior is generally a difficult task because of the complexity of the individual (or the group of individuals) that is subjected to intertwined factors, forces, values, and other motivational resources that are influencing behavior.
A qualitative model of the individual was developed to account for the factors and forces exerted on the individual and the individual’s goals.
Personal behavior was further modeled by a vector with a magnitude and a direction. The magnitude depends on factors and forces that may be unleveraged or leveraged. The direction of the behavior vector represents the goals of the individual.
The behavior model was extended to a group of individuals by considering a group vector.
The role of past experience and resources supporting and influencing the indivual and the group were identified and discussed.
Decision processes for the individual and the group were developed since it is through decisions that behavior is developed and adopted.
The model also includes immutable factors to guide the individual toward a task-oriented or relationship-oriented human behavior.
An error process was also developed to identify and correct errors so that the decisions taken are accurate, complete, and uptodate.
Several illustrative applications of the human behavior model are presented and discussed. These applications relate to the individual and the group with specific goals and in particular situations.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Nov 26, 2021
• ISBN: 9781663230232

Emory Sanders

Emory Sanders received a Ph.D. in Engineering and an MBA in Management / Finance. He has been a professional engineer for more than forty years. He was also an adjunct professor at various colleges. He is the author of more than 140 scientific and research publications. He has been specializing in modeling and simulation of systems and other research applications for more than thirty years.

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ISBN: 978-1-6632-3022-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6632-3023-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021923399

iUniverse rev. date:  11/24/2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreword

1.0 Introduction

2.0 The Individual Behavior Model

3.0 The Individual Behavior As A Vector

4.0 The Group Behavior As A Vector

4.1 Vectorial Operations

4.2 Homogeneous Group Vector

4.3 Heterogenous Group Vector

4.4 Particular Cases:

5.0 The Human Behavior Model

6.0 Forces And Factors On The Individual

6.1 Forces Exerted On The Individual

6.2 Effects Of The Unleveraged Forces On The Individual

6.3 Effects Of The Leveraged Forces On The Individual

6.4 Factors Affecting The Individual’s Behavior

7.0 Forces And Factors On The Group

7.1 Forces Exerted On The Group

7.2 Factors Affecting The Group’s Behavior

8.0 Past Experience

9.0 Resources Supporting The Individual

10.0 Resources Supporting The Group

11.0 The Decision Process

11.1 The Individual Decision Process

11.2 The Group Decision Process

11.3 Resolution Of Uncertainties

12.0 The Immutable Elements Of Success

13.0 The Error Process

14. Risk Methodology

14.1 Risk Related To Human Behavior

14.2 Risk Related To The Decision Process

15.0 Applications Of The Model

15.1 Applications Of The Methodology

15.2 Extensions Of The Model

15.3 Proposed Future Applications

16.0 Conclusions

17.0 References

FOREWORD

A review of current models to simulate human behavior shows that many models were developed to identify behavioral determinants and processes that are part of man-environment interactions associated with specific applications such as use of resources, policy strategies, and social applications (e.g. Jager & Mosler, 2007, Cialdini & Goldstein, 2004, and Mosler & Brucks, 2003).

Although the current models represent valuable tools for specific situations, it was necessary to develop a general model that is based on behavioral and social concepts to simulate human behavior. This is the purpose of the current work presented in this book. The behavior model developed is based on personal behavior determinants represented mathematically by a vector whose magnitude and direction simulates the forces exerted on the individual and the goal of the individual, respectively. The proposed model was extended to a group of individuals.

The model developed is needed in the field of behavior modeling and simulation as it

(1) allows to model and simulate behavior comprehensively by taking into account factors, forces, and values that influence behavior

(2) accounts for the role of past experience and resources that the individual can use

(3) allows to model and simulate behavior through a logical decision process

(4) accounts for risk due to uncertainties in the behavioral model and the decision process

Although the basis of the behavioral model relies on theoretical concepts, the proposed model presents many practical applications particularly in the areas of

- inter-relationship between factors, forces, and values that influence personal and group behavior

- processing of past experience

- simulation of the decision process

- risk associated with uncertainties

This book was primarily written for

(1) psychology and sociology professionals to provide a comprehensive reference work on behavior modeling and simulation

(2) computer scientists and simulation professionals with an interest in human behavior modeling and simulation

(3) individuals involved in decision making and who need guidance through their decision process. The decisions involved may be a relatively simple task (such as buying a house) or a more elaborate process (such as getting married or getting a divorce)

(4) groups of individuals involved in decision making and who need guidance through their decision process. The decisions involved may be a relatively simple task (such as creating and operating a legal organization) or a more elaborate process (such as creating and operating an academic organization)

(5) individuals or groups of individuals with an interest in human behavior modeling and simulation or decision analysis

Although special care was provided to describe the