An Overview of Agent Based Models

Abstract

It is sometimes difficult to convey to those outside of complexity studies what exactly is meant by emergence, agents, bottom-up processes, or even the phrase agent-based models itself. Part of this is due to these terms (and others) being overused. They have differing definitions across disciplines – sometimes overlapping, sometimes not – reflecting different scopes, purposes, and perspectives prevalent in these fields of study. Sometimes these terms are only vaguely defined. At other times they are defined precisely, but too narrowly to be very useful in other fields.