We explore the concept of an agent-based Electronic Institution including a normative environment that supports electronic contract formation by providing a contextual normative background. We formalize the normative state using first-order logic and define institutional rules and norms operating on that state. A suitable semantics regarding the use of norms within a hierarchical context struct...

Normative environments have been proposed to regulate agent interaction in open multi-agent systems. However, most approaches rely on pre-imposed regulations that agents are subject to. Taking a different stance, we focus on a normative framework that assists agents in establishing by themselves their own commitment norms. With that aim in mind, a model of norm defeasibility is presented that e...

Normative systems (norms) have been widely proposed as a technique for coordinating multi-agent systems. The automated synthesis of norms for coordination remains an open and complex problem, which we tackle in this paper. We propose a novel mechanism called IRON (Intelligent Robust On-line Norm synthesis mechanism), for the on-line synthesis of norms. IRON aims to synthesise conflict-free norm...

Norms have a strong influence on human social interactions, but the emotions and actions associated with norm-breaking events have not been systematically studied. We asked subjects to imagine themselves in a conflict situation and then to report how they would feel, how they would act, and how they would imagine the feelings and actions of their opponent. By altering the fictional scenario tha...

A new combination rule based on specified fuzzy T-Conorm/T-Norm operators is proposed and analyzed in this article the TCN Rule of Combination. The rule does not belong to the general Weighted Operator Class. The advantages of the new rule could be defined as: very easy to implement, satisfying the impact of neutrality of Vacuous Belief Assignment, commutative, convergent to idempotence, reflec...

In open multi-agent systems, norms are being used to regulate the behavior of the autonomous, heterogeneous and independently designed agents. Norms describe the behavior that can be performed, that must be performed, and that cannot be performed in the system. One of the main challenges on developing normative systems is that norms may conflict with each other. Two norms are in conflict when t...

The purpose of the present study was to explore the role of an extended version of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) in predicting intentions to quit smoking among Norwegian smoking students (N=211) and Spanish students (N=205). As hypothesised, subjective norm predicted quitting intentions more strongly in Spain (a collectivistic culture) than in Norway (an individualistic culture). Group ...

This paper explores the relationship between the 1992-1998 armed conflict in Tajikistan, sex ratios and the age at first marriage for women. The findings suggest that there is substantial and robust negative effect of temporal and regional exposure to armed conflict on entry into their first marriages by females in Tajikistan. Women born in 19751983, who lived in the conflict affected areas wer...

Norms represent the expected behavior of an agent in a multi-agent system. Generally, norms describe the actions that can be performed, must be performed, and cannot be performed in the system. Due to the number of norms defined to govern a multi-agent systems (MAS), norms may conflict with each other. Norms are in conflict when the fulfillment of one norm violates the other and vice-versa. The...