Computer simulation of human behavior

Abstract

Computer simulations of human behavior multiplied rapidly during the 1950s and 1960s, but slowly during the 1970s. Simulation's inherent characteristics do not explain its decelerated use during recent years. Although it has disadvantages as well as advantages, it is the best methodology for some tasks. For several reasons, simulation may have disappointed simulators and their audiences. Many simulators have overstated and underutilized the methodology's capabilities. Simulation's ambiguous domain and deviant goals of simulators may create confusion about circumstances that call for simulation and criteria for judging simulations. Simulations have exposed the lack of knowledge in several social-science domains. Government support has declined dramatically, and experiences with government agencies may have made simulators doubt the pragmatic benefits of their models. Some of the problems impeding simulation's use will diminish spontaneously, and microcomputers may amplify enthusiasm for simulation, but better software could make simulation easier and more effective.