Rob Duell

A Multi-agent Model for Emotion Contagion Spirals Integrated within a Supporting Ambient Agent Model

To avoid the occurrence of spirals of negative emotion in their teams, team leaders may benefit from intelligent agent systems that analyze the emotional dynamics of the team members. As a first step in developing such agents, this paper uses an agent-based approach to formalize and simulate emotion contagion spirals within groups. The computational multi-agent model is integrated within an intelligent ambient agent to monitor and predict group emotion levels over time and propose group support actions based on that.

Agent-Based Modeling of Emotion Contagion in Groups

To avoid the development of negative emotion in their teams, team leaders may benefit from being aware of the emotional dynamics of the team members. To this end, the use of intelligent computer systems that analyze emotional processes within teams is a promising direction. As a first step toward the development of such systems, this paper uses an agent-based approach to formalize and simulate emotion contagion processes within groups, which may involve absorption or amplification of emotions of others. The obtained computational model is analyzed both by explorative simulation and by mathematical analysis. In addition, to illustrate the applicability of the model, it is shown how the model can be integrated within a computational ‘ambient agent model’ that monitors and predicts group emotion levels over time and proposes group support actions based on that. Based on this description, a discussion is provided of the main contribution of the model, as well as the next steps needed to incorporate it into real-world applications.

An ambient agent model for group emotion support

This paper introduces an agent-based support model for group emotion, to be used by ambient systems to support teams in their emotion dynamics. Using model-based reasoning, an ambient agent analyzes the teams emotion level for present and future time points. In case the teams emotion level is found to become deficient, the ambient agent provides support to the team by proposing the team leader, for example, to give a pep talk to certain team members. The support model has been formally designed and within a dedicated software environment, simulation experiments have been performed.

A Generic Personal Assistant Agent Model for Support in Demanding Tasks

Human task performance may vary depending on the characteristics of the human, the task and the environment over time. To ensure high effectiveness and efficiency of the execution of tasks, automated personal assistance may be provided to task performers. A personal assistant agent may constantly monitor the humans state and task execution, analyse the state of the human and task, and intervene when a problem is detected. This paper proposes a generic design for a Personal Assistant agent model which can be deployed in a variety of domains. Application of the Personal Assistant model is illustrated by a case study from the naval domain.

A computational analysis of joint decision making processes

In this paper a computational analysis is made of the circumstances under which joint decisions are or are not reached. Joint decision making as considered does not only concern a choice for a common decision option, but also a good feeling about it, and mutually acknowledged empathic understanding. As a basis a computational social agent model for joint decision making is used. The model was inspired by principles from neurological theories on mirror neurons, internal simulation, and emotion-related valuing. The computational analysis determines the different possible outcomes of joint decision making processes, and the types of processes leading to these outcomes.

Computational model-based design of leadership support based on situational leadership theory

This paper introduces the design of an agent-based leadership support system exploiting a computational model for development of individuals or groups. It is to be used, for example, as a basis for systems to support a group leader in the development of individual group members or a group as a whole. Using a computational model for Situational Leadership Theory and model-based reasoning techniques, the system monitors and analyzes the development level over time and provides support to the group leader by proposing for different points in time the most effective leadership behavior according to Situational Leadership Theory. The support model has been formally designed and, within a dedicated software environment, simulation experiments have been performed.

Modelling Mediator Assistance in Joint Decision Making Processes Involving Mutual Empathic Understanding

In this paper an agent model for mediation in joint decision-making processes is presented for establishing mutual empathic understanding. Elicitation of affective states is an important criterion of empathy. In unassisted joint decision-making it can be difficult to recognise whether empathic responses are the result of experiencing the other individual’s affective state, or whether these affective states are at least partly blended with own states that would also have developed in individual decision-making. The mediator agent assists two individual social agents in establishing and expressing empathy, as a means to develop solidly grounded joint decisions.

A Multi-agent System Architecture for Personal Support during Demanding Tasks

Task performance of humans that act under demanding circumstances may vary over time, depending on the characteristics of human, task and environment. To increase the effectiveness and efficiency of task performance, personalised assistance may be provided, in the form of automated personal assistant agents that constantly monitor the task execution and well-being of the human, and intervene when a problem is detected. This paper proposes a generic design for a multi-agent system architecture including such personal assistant agents, which can be deployed in a variety of domains.

Modelling Mediator Intervention in Joint Decision Making Processes Involving Mutual Empathic Understanding

In this paper an agent model for mediation in joint decision-making processes is presented addressing a disputant-oriented intervention, specifically an education technique. By wielding an education intervention, a mediator can induce a learning process in a disputant. Through this learning process, the disputant may change orientation towards a specific action option. In this way the mediator agent assists two individual social agents in establishing and expressing empathic understanding, as a means to develop solidly grounded joint decisions.

An ambient agent system assisting humans in complex tasks by analysis of a human's state and performance

Human task performance varies depending on the task, environment, and states of the human over time. To ensure high effectiveness and efficiency in the execution of complex tasks, adaptive automated assistance of the human may be required. In this paper, a generic design for a multi-agent system architecture is presented and a personal assistant agent is described that makes use of the proposed architecture. The agent constantly monitors the task execution and well-being of the human via non-intrusive sensors, and intervenes when a problem is detected. A human is given a complex task, while the future performance is predicted using observations and a dynamical model for the humans work pressure and exhaustion. If the predicted exhaustion becomes too high, the ambient agent can assist the human in a number of ways. Experiments with humans show that the support system increases performance with around 13%, and that it enhances the feeling of control of the situation.