Fishery village with values - Simulating agents who make decisions based on Schwartz values

Abstract

Many agent-based simulations that incorporate a decision system based on values, only use the Schwartz value theory in a minimalistic way. This thesis shows how a value framework can be implemented in an agent-based simulation, to create a more complex social system. The simulation combines a social, economical and ecological system, in the context of an Icelandic fishery village. The implementation will be tested with hypotheses, that discuss contemporary relevant themes. On one side the depletion of the fish population due to overfishing, on the other side the migration caused by removing elements in the village. By changing the value distribution, and the interpretation of the real world through the model, interesting results emerge. These results were analyzed, giving interesting insight on strengths and weaknesses of the model. In comparison with more simplistic models, this model allows for an agent to satisfy its most important value through for example his job, while satisfying other values during leisure time activities. Another merit is the possibility to create short-term oriented or long-term oriented agents, by changing the perspectives off the agents. The model does not contain norms or goals, posing some limitation, e.g. agents would deplete their money, removing their possibility to satisfy their values.