MAMID: Methodology for Analysis and Modeling of Individual

Exiting simulation, training, and agent-based systems either do not address the modeling of individual behavior, or assume normative performance, thereby failing to exhibit expected performance variations due to individual differences factors (i.e., cognitive, affective, and personality variables). This shortcoming seriously limits realism of the resulting simulations, thereby reducing their utility, in both individual and distributed team applications. We propose to develop and demonstrate a Methodology for Analysis and Modeling of Individual Differences (MAMID), which provides a generic method for representing a variety of individual differences factors in human performance models. The proposed methodology consists of four steps: identification of cognitive processes and structures mediating performance; design of a corresponding parameterized model; identification of cognitive, affective, and personality factors affecting model processes; and encoding of identified factors in terms of model parameters and knowledge bases. The methodology will be implemented within an integrated simulation environment, providing a testbed for analysis of distinct profile effects on task performance. MAMID is applicable to both individual and team settings, and can be incorporated within a variety of agent architectures. We propose to demonstrate MAMID in the context of a selected Army task that is particularly susceptible performance variations due to individual differences. BENEFITS:Commercial applications of the generic MAMID methodology exist in a variety of settings, both individual and team. Characterized by a sensitivity to individual variations in performance and likelihood of strong affective states (e.g., high-risk, fast-paced, crisis-prone environments). The MAMID methodology is also applicable to virtual reality training environments designed to Compensate for a variety of cognitive or affective biases or disabilities (e.g., specific cognitive deficits due to aging, attention and anxiety disorders, etc.). Finally, MAMID is applicable to the entertainment industry, to produce individualized and more realistic interactive agents in a variety of edutainment, infotainment, and entertainment applications.