The Life of Concepts: An ABM of Conceptual Drift in Social Groups

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Abstract

Based on the premise that conceptual agreement (i.e., feeling that we share an idea with others) is always inferential, we develop an ABM that models the conditions under which a concept will gain or loose strength in the minds of individuals. The ABM is based on simple assumptions, generally consistent with psychological and philosophical analyses on the subject. We assume that different members of a population have slightly different versions of one similar conceptualization, that inferred agreement may be true or illusory, and that a concept that promotes agreement (true or illusory) increases its strength. Our analyses (simulated experiments and probability models) test the influence of several variables on the fate of a concept (i.e., whether it strengthens or weakens in the minds of individuals), and support the conclusion that the most important parameters are the probabilities of true and illusory agreement afforded by the concept.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAgents and Artificial Intelligence - Third International Conference, ICAART 2011, Revised Selected Papers
PublisherSpringer Verlag
Pages271-286
Number of pages16
ISBN (Print)9783642299650
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013
Event3rd International Conference on Agents and Artificial Intelligence, ICAART 2011 - Rome, Italy
Duration: 28 Jan 201130 Jan 2011

Publication series

NameCommunications in Computer and Information Science
Volume271
ISSN (Print)1865-0929

Conference

Conference3rd International Conference on Agents and Artificial Intelligence, ICAART 2011
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityRome
Period28/01/1130/01/11

Keywords

  • Agent-based modelling
  • Conceptual content
  • Markov chain
  • Shared meaning

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