Examining Leadership Dynamics in Agent Based Modeling By Alex McGuigan

Purpose/Goal Explore leadership dynamics in Sugarscape –Analyzing leadership traits in combat Ultimate goal to discover what leadership trait is most attractive to followers –What leadership trait forms the most successful groups

Scope Use Sugarscape as a base –Add a more complete system of combat and traits –Same simplistic, interconnected style as Sugarscape Intelligence = Vision Strength = Metabolism Wealth = Sugar

Traits Vision –Sight, obviously –Intelligence –Evaluation of others Lower vision underestimates strength of enemy Metabolism –Sugar consumed per turn –Strength Higher metabolism increases effectiveness in combat –Strong agents have a harder time gathering

Traits Sugar –Food –Groups are food sharing –Advantage for group gathering –High metabolism agents fed by low metabolism group members, protects them in return Morale –Has been scrapped

Combat The equation: Metabolism * 4 + Sugar Agents drop 2 sugar when they die in combat –Agents will move to the highest value sugar spot they can see, sugar at site + 2 if there is another agent there –Agents don't seek combat specifically, only seek highest concentration sugar –Agents don't attack agents that they know are stronger

Combat If the highest value sugar spot is occupied, check to see if the occupant is stronger –Your combat vs. theirs, tie to defenders –Vision influences this, low vision underestimates their strength Your combat vs. their combat * Vision/4 Vision maxes at four, 4 vision has perfect perception, 1 vision attacks nearly indiscriminately –If your's is perceived as higher, attack Run combat formula, tie to defenders, loser dies, winner gains 2 sugar

Group Dynamics Decentralized groups, emerge spontaneously What motivates them to form groups? –Groups are beneficial, food sharing, shared vision –Group advantages to gathering? –Group combat?

Group Dynamics Who will be the leader? –Highest Sugar person? –Highest total stats? –First member? Leader advantages –Select new members – vision based –Limited command over group?

Design MASON version of Sugarscape Test by placing agents of random traits in Sugarscape, see what happens No randomness inside actual mechanics Simplicity is the goal

Development Combat dynamic coded –Large series of difficult bugs remain in system of sugar and occupant detection Group dynamic largely planned –Traits implemented, group functionality partly coded

Results Robert Axtell, one of the two creators of Sugarscape approves of the project Actual testing is held up by aforementioned bugs