Compassion and Prosocial Behavior. Is it Possible to Simulate them Virtually?

Andrea Ceschi*, Andrea Scalco, Stephan Dickert, Riccardo Sartori

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingPublished conference contribution

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In the field of artificial intelligence, a question dealing with computer and cognitive science is arising and becoming more and more crucial: Can we design agents so sophisticated that they are capable of mimicking emotional behaviors in general as well as specific emotions like compassion or empathy? Despite the production of different computational models, their integration with cognitive and psychological theories remains a central problem. Reasons are both methodological and theoretical. Primarily, it is difficult to quantify the impact of such factors as individual differences, inclinations and personality traits. In addition, Agent-Based Models (ABMs) often use linear dynamics, even in describing emotions, without considering the basis of psychophysics. Bearing in mind this and focusing on compassion as a particular emotion, the paper aims to present a "Decalogue" for those interested in designing agents capable of mimicking human emotional behaviors. In the paper, compassion will be translated as prosocial behavior.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationTrends in Practical Applications of Agents, Multi-Agent Systems and Sustainability
Subtitle of host publicationThe PAAMS Collection
EditorsJavier Bajo, Josefa Z. Hernandez, Philippe Mathieu, Andrew Campbell, Antonio Fernández-Caballero, María N. Moreno, Vicente Julián, Amparo Alonso-Betanzos, María Dolores Jiménez-López, Vicente Botti
Place of PublicationCham
PublisherSpringer
Pages207-214
Number of pages8
ISBN (Electronic)9783319196299
ISBN (Print)9783319196282
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2015
Event13th International Conference on Practical Applications of Agents, Multi-Agent Systems, and Sustainability (PAAMS) - Salamanca, Spain
Duration: 3 Jun 20155 Jun 2015

Publication series

NameAdvances in Intelligent Systems and Computing
PublisherSpringer
Volume372
ISSN (Print)2194-5357
ISSN (Electronic)2194-5365

Conference

Conference13th International Conference on Practical Applications of Agents, Multi-Agent Systems, and Sustainability (PAAMS)
Country/TerritorySpain
CitySalamanca
Period3/06/155/06/15

Keywords

  • Emotional behaviors
  • Compassion
  • Prosocial Behavior
  • Psychophysics

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