Mnemonic Structure and Sociality: A Computational Agent-Based Simulation Model

How does group memory affect sociality? Most computational multi-agent social simulation models are designed with agents lacking explicit internal information-processing structure in terms of basic cognitive elements. In particular, memory is usually not explicitly modeled. We present initial results from a new prototype called “Wetlands”, designed to investigate the effect of group memory structures and interaction situations on emergent patterns of sociality or collective intentionality. Specifically, we report on initial computational experiments conducted on culturally-differentiated agents endowed with finite and degradable memory that simulate bounded mnemonic function and forgetfulness. Our main initial findings are that memory capacity and engram retention both promote sociality among groups, probably as nonlinear (inverse) functions. Wetlands 1.1 is implemented in the new MASON 3 (MultiAgent Simulator of Networks and Neighborhoods) computational environment developed at George Mason University.