Agents in Social Simulation Models

A simplified representation of a real-world system used to understand and predict its behavior.

Models help us understand how different parts of a system interact and how changes in one part affect others.

Problems with complex interconnected factors, making solutions difficult to find.

A function that describes exponential growth, where the rate of change is proportional to the current value.

A function that describes logistic growth, where growth slows down as it approaches a carrying capacity.

A function that uses the value of a variable at a previous time point to predict its future value.

Equations that model the dynamic interactions between two species, often used in predator-prey relationships.

Models that track population changes over time by considering births, deaths, and migration, including factors like age and sex.

A way to understand, analyze and communicate dynamic systems using simple language and clear diagrams. It represents elements, interactions, and polarities through a series of connected arrows.

Parts of a system that influence and are influenced by each other. They can be entities like people, resources, or processes.

The direction of influence between elements. An arrow indicates how a change in one element impacts another.

Indicates whether the relationship between elements is reinforcing or balancing. A '+' sign means a change in one element leads to a change in the same direction in the other. A '-' sign means a change in one element leads to a change in the opposite direction in the other.

A type of diagram used to represent the accumulation and depletion of resources over time. It shows how stocks change over time due to inflows and outflows.

Evaluating the quality of a system dynamics model to ensure its accuracy and reliability. It involves testing the model's structure, behavior, and sensitivity to uncertainties.

A series of steps used to build a system dynamics model, starting with identifying key elements and their relationships, and culminating in a validated model.

The ability of a system dynamics model to provide insights into complex, interconnected systems, considering feedback loops, delays, and non-linear interactions.

A model that uses artificial agents (like people, institutions, or animals) to simulate real-world phenomena. Each agent acts individually based on their characteristics, preferences, and interactions with others and the environment.

The process of using computers to model complex social systems by representing the interactions between different individual agents. This allows researchers to study social phenomena and explore 'what-if' scenarios that are hard to study in real life.

In an agent-based model, these are the primary elements that act, interact, and change within the simulated environment. They can represent individuals, organizations, or entities with unique characteristics and behaviors.

In agent-based models, each agent can have different traits, such as their beliefs, preferences, or resources. This diversity allows for the simulation of complex social dynamics.

The process of examining how agents interact with each other and their environment in a simulation. These interactions can drive changes in the system's overall dynamics.

An approach to modeling that considers the interactions between human activities and the environment, focusing on how individuals make decisions impacting the system. It integrates data from both economics and environmental science.

A simplified representation of the economy, depicting how various sectors exchange goods and services as inputs and outputs. It is often represented as a table or a decision tree.

The total value of all goods and services produced within an economy in a given year.

An approach to modeling that accounts for energy and material flows throughout a system, ensuring that all energy and matter is accounted for, based on the fundamental laws of thermodynamics.

Using multiple methods or data sources to validate and strengthen the findings of complex systems modeling. This increases the reliability and robustness of the results.

A type of model using physically based equations to simulate the climate system, incorporating the interaction of various factors like atmospheric processes, ocean currents, and land surface changes. It predicts future climate states step by step.

The involvement of stakeholders in the design and implementation of a modeling process, ensuring their perspectives and needs are considered. This leads to a more robust, relevant, and acceptable model.

Exploring different options through the use of modeling, enabling decision-makers to assess potential consequences of various actions and choose the most favorable option.

Examining how resources and emissions are linked to outputs, allowing you to calculate the environmental footprint of production and understand how changes in demand affect resource use and emissions.

Helps analyze how changes in demand (e.g., greater demand for electric cars) affect the resource requirements, emissions, and waste produced by specific sectors.

Analyzing how much raw materials, emissions, and waste are generated per unit of a specific product. For example, how much carbon dioxide is produced per ton of steel.

Bringing together different stakeholders like scientists, policymakers, and community representatives to improve the quality of data, modeling, and implementation.

The process of clearly defining the problem or issue that the model aims to address, involving all stakeholders and ensuring everyone understands the scope, goals, and potential solutions.

Every product flow between a buyer and seller is accompanied by a monetary flow moving in the opposite direction.

Specialization and division of labor lead to interconnected systems where every seller of one product needs to buy many other products.

A method of accounting that uses a matrix to track flows between different economic sectors, ensuring consistency and avoiding double-counting.

In a balanced economic system, total output equals total final demand, and total expenditures are equal to total income.

A simplified model that shows the interdependencies between different sectors of the economy, highlighting the flow of goods and services between them.