The Reference Model SimPan – Agent-Based Modelling of Human Behaviour in Panic Situations

Abstract

The reference model SimPan describes an agent-based modelling approach for human panic behaviour based upon established psychological theories and findings. The reference model perceives the human being as a psychosomatic, autonomous acting creature with cognitive capabilities that is embedded in a dynamic social environment. The occurrence of different patterns of human behaviour in panic situations is explained by a human's internal state being composed of physical, emotional, cognitive and social aspects. SimPan defines modelling solutions for common environmental, socio-psychological and behavioural phenomena in the context of panic situations, defines their interrelation and impact on an individual's internal state and integrates them into a comprehensive modelling approach. The set of considered phenomena contains physical pressure, crowding, social influence on emergence of emotion, attitude and action, but also the concept of emotional intelligence and the ability of consciously controlling emotion. The presented approach is interdisciplinary and touches on research areas in computer science and psychology.