Computational Models for Belief Revision, Group Decision-Making and Cultural Shifts
Abstract
This MURI (1) explores how beliefs support and lead to certain actions in one culture but not another, and (2) develops computational models that further our understanding of the relation between beliefs, decisions, and actions. One key requirement for such models is to distinguish the different roles played by instrumental or secular values versus sacred values, which differ widely across cultures. The goal of these models is to provide formal explanations for how the beliefs of individuals affect group and individual actions, and how groups with shared interests evolve. Such models are an important step toward understanding and predicting the dynamics and actions of groups. They are fundamental to an understanding of how actions of a group may be altered by belief revision, by either internal or external pressures (including force). They are also needed for strategic reasoning in negotiations, where beliefs in different cultures may lead to what appears to be irrational proposals, yet are seen as rational in that culture.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 25, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA567102
Entities
People
- Whitman Richards
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology