Fuzzy Cognitive Maps for Modeling Complex Systems

This paper presents Fuzzy Cognitive Maps as an approach in modeling the behavior and operation of complex systems. This technique is the fusion of the advances of the fuzzy logic and cognitive maps theories, they are fuzzy weighted directed graphs with feedback that create models that emulate the behavior of complex decision processes using fuzzy causal relations. There are some applications in diverse domains (manage, multiagent systems, etc.) and novel works (dynamical characteristics, learning procedures, etc.) to improve the performance of these systems. First the description and the methodology that this theory suggests is examined, also some ideas for using this approach in the control process area, and then the implementation of a tool based on Fuzzy Cognitive Maps is described. The application of this theory in the field of control and systems might contribute to the progress of more intelligent and independent control systems. Fuzzy Cognitive Maps have been fruitfully used in decision making and simulation of complex situation and analysis.