First Advisor

Wayne Wakeland

Term of Graduation

Summer 2025

Date of Publication

9-11-2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Systems Science

Department

Systems Science

Language

English

Subjects

Behavior Prediction, Decision Making, Fuzzy Cognitive Maps, Mental Models

Physical Description

1 online resource (vii, 167 pages)

Abstract

This dissertation examines the use of Fuzzy cognitive maps (FCMs) as representations of mental models and how these representations connect to individual behavior. Fuzzy cognitive maps (FCMs) are semi-quantitative models that encode cause-and-effect structures as directed graphs. They are frequently used to represent individuals' knowledge structures/mental models and should in theory correlate to actions and decisions of individuals; however, this correlation has yet to be explored in a systematic manner. This dissertation represents the first step in experimental research on the connection between FCMs and individual behavior. It examines two theories of how humans use mental models, one based on simulation, and one based on cues. These two theories are then connected to structural indicators within individual FCMs. These structural indicators are then compared to behavioral survey results from the same individual. No connection is found between the structural indicators and survey results. Analysis of why there is no correlation highlights the difference between methodology-focused research versus subject-based research, along with the challenges of collecting high-quality FCMs from individuals.

Rights

In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Persistent Identifier

https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/44119

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