Cognitive modeling for simulation goals: A research strategy for computer-generated forces

Abstract

Simulation goals determine the fidelity requirements for cognitive models. We argue that the pursuit of high fidelity cognitive models, unfettered by detailed considerations of what we want the models for, is so unfocused as to be almost useless for practical purposes. What a cognitive model needs to contain is vitally affected by what kinds of questions one wishes to answer, i.e., the goals of the simulation. However, there is no reliable and systematic body of knowledge in the simulation community about the demands placed by the goals of simulation on models of cognitive (and other) entities. The mappings from simulation goals to fidelity and other requirements for cognitive models can be investigated empirically. We outline strategies for how this can be done.