A social simulation on the influence of the interaction style and communication network

In this paper, we simulate virtual societies under several communication network conditions between agents using multi-agent systems whose agents are based on cognitive balance, to get the clue to understand the modern society which consists of complex human relationships. The research about social structures and a conceptualization of group problem solving have a long and rich history. Heider, a founder of the theory of perceptual balance, defined the relationship between three notions (P, O, X) as “positive (+1),” “negative (-1)” and judged the “balance” or “imbalance” of the group by using the product of these three signs in this cycle. Cartwright and Harary expanded Heider´s balance theory (structural balance) to the groups consist of more than three actors in order to explain more realistic social problems. We use these theories to social simulations. Furthermore, we adopt the idea of communication network and reinforce learning to the agents. The model simulates social actors making positive and negative selection of each other in efforts to reach balanced cognitive states. We observe the influence on dissimilarity or the formation of groups on our social simulations as a result of several communication networks and the ways of choosing communication partners, especially for sharing common perceptions, which influences their society.