An agent simulation study of optimal foraging: the ideal free distribution with individual scalar expectancies

  • Authors:
  • John F. Magnotti;Levent Yilmaz

  • Affiliations:
  • Auburn University, Auburn, AL;Auburn University, Auburn, AL

  • Venue:
  • SpringSim '10 Proceedings of the 2010 Spring Simulation Multiconference
  • Year:
  • 2010

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Abstract

Agents that forage in groups must handle the problem of resource sharing. In this study, we present a selective overview of group and individual foraging behavior and propose an agent-based model to unify these methodologies, enabling the exploration of plausible causal mechanisms and novel hypothesis generation. Despite its place in behavioral science, little work has been done with the generalized matching equation as it pertains to simulation work. Our model uses psychologically plausible models of memory for time and decision rules. The results of preliminary simulation research suggest that the model is sensitive to changes in pay-off density and correctly replicates Ideal Free Distributions.