Hybrid and Evolutionary Agent-Based Social Simulations Using the PAX Framework

This paper investigates a new hybrid evolutionary agent model for agent-based social simulations (ABSS), which incorporates two decision components: (i) sub-symbolic (genetic) and (ii) symbolic (cultural). These components are coherently combined to produce a more plausible agent model. Experiments were carried out using the plausible agents matrix (PAX) framework, and modeled a real dengue fever spreading scenario. They aim to analyze the qualitative and quantitative predictive power of the model. Previous work has explored the impact of structuring elements on agents´ behaviors and the impacts of communication mechanisms on agents´ behaviors using PAX. In this paper we investigated three types of agent models regarding to the combination of decision components: (1) agents only with genetic component; (2) agents only with cultural component; and (3) agents with both genetic and cultural components. Results show the importance of each component in the model and their synergic effects when combined.