Toward a Myers-Briggs type indicator model of agent behavior in multiagent teams

Abstract

This paper explores the use of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) as the basis for defining the personality of an agent. The MBTI is a well-known psychological theory of human personality. In the MBTI model, four axes are defined to explain how humans perceive their environment, how they interact with others and how they make decisions based on these traits. The work described here presents a preliminary model of agent behavior in which two of the axes are implemented, combining to reflect four distinct agent personality types. Experiments were conducted under three environmental conditions: single agent setting, homogeneous multiagent team, and heterogeneous multiagent team. Results are presented for each condition and are analyzed in comparison with the other conditions, as well as within the context of the expected MBTI behaviors given each environment and the simulated task. It is demonstrated that agents of each personality type produce very different results, distinct for and characteristic of each MBTI personality type. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.