User understanding of cognitive processes in simulation: A tool for exploring and modifying

Agent based simulations often model humans and increasingly it is necessary to do this at an appropriate level of complexity. It has been suggested that the Belief Desire Intention (BDI) paradigm is suitable for modeling the cognitive processes of agents representing (some of) the humans in an agent based modeling simulation. This approach models agents as having goals, and reacting to events, with high level plans, or plan types, that are gradually refined as situations unfold. This is an intuitive approach for modeling human cognitive processes. However, it is important that users can understand, verify and even contribute to the model being used. We describe a tool that can be used to explore, understand and modify, the BDI model of an agent´s cognitive processes within a simulation. The tool is interactive and allows users to explore options available (and not available) at a particular agent decision point.