Making use of fuzzy cognitive maps in agent-based modeling

One of the main challenges in Agent-Based Modeling (ABM) is to model agents’ preferences and behavioral rules such that the knowledge and decision-making processes of real-life stakeholders will be reflected. To tackle this challenge, we demonstrate the potential use of a participatory method, Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping (FCM), that aggregates agents’ qualitative knowledge (i.e., knowledge co-production). In our proposed approach, the outcome of FCM would be a basis for designing agents’ preferences and behavioral rules in ABM. We apply this method to a social-ecological system of a farming community facing water scarcity.

Mehryar S., Schwarz N., Sliuzas R., van Maarseveen M. (2020) Making Use of Fuzzy Cognitive Maps in Agent-Based Modeling. In: Verhagen H., Borit M., Bravo G., Wijermans N. (eds) Advances in Social Simulation. Springer Proceedings in Complexity. Springer, Cham