Behavior in models: a framework for representing human behavior

This chapter will discuss the challenge of modelling human behavior in a simulation model. A framework is presented of the options available by level of modelling abstraction. At the highest level of abstraction the need to model human behavior is eliminated by simplification. Another approach that avoids the need to incorporate human behavior in the model is to externalize the human aspect through strategies such as representing the behavior as inputs to the model. If human behavior is to be modelled then the options presented are flow, entity, task and individual. These approaches require increasing detail and become increasingly complex. For instance, at the individual level there is a need to consider the many and complex cognitive models of human behavior.