Modeling the impact of combat and influence actions on population attitudes towards forces: An agent-based approach
Résumé
Recent COIN and CT operations around the world have brought to light an increased need for influence capabilities on local populations and key individuals. The understanding of the human terrain and its dynamics is the key for answering those new operational needs and obviously calls for a modeling and simulation effort. Our goal is to develop a simulation of the dynamics of the population in terms of attitude and behavior change and to use in training and decision aid applications. Building on a first generation model, the Hearts & Minds Impact Tool, available from a previous project, the current research work aims at a complete overhaul of the cognitive aspect of the model. This new model find its scientific foundations in Social and cognitive psychology and more specifically in Fazio’s model of attitude and Dessalles’ Simplicity Theory. By difference with most the existing models dealing with opinion dynamics, our model will specifically address the problem of attitude construction and adaptation toward Forces. Attitudes of individuals within the population will evolve based on the perceptions that have individuals on their actions, inter-personal factual communication and populations' social preferences. The first results of the simulation will be provided along with the description of the model.