The Role of Social Image as a Behavior Filter: A Case Study Based on Cognitive Agents

• Jeferson J. Baqueta UTFPR
• Mariela Morveli-Espinoza UTFPR
• Gustavo A. Gimenez-Lugo UTFPR
• Cesar A. Tacla UTFPR

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5753/wesaac.2020.33377

Abstract

In multi-agent systems (MAS), computational reputation models have been adopted as an important solution in order to ensure security and efficiency. The evaluation mechanisms, offered by these models, can be used to punish inappropriate behaviors of agents and improve the partner selection process in uncertain situations. However, as the reputation is a shared opinion, in some cases, a given agent can be penalized excessively and no longer be chosen as a negotiation partner, even when he is not a cheater. In this context, in this work, we investigate how the social image, a social evaluation about the characteristics of someone, can be used to avoid very severe punishments, as well, its effects on the decisions taken by an agent about its negotiation partners, assuming that these decisions are initially made based only on reputation of other agents. Our results demonstrate that, in some scenarios, social image may lead an agent to be more flexible during the selection of his negotiation partners.

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