International Encyclopedia of Communication Online

Extract

Simulations are imitations of some “real-world” phenomena, especially the states of affairs of (real) natural or social systems or the processes of the systems (processes are defined as temporal sequences of system states). Simulations are used in numerous domains: physics, chemistry, biology, economy, social sciences, and computer and engineering sciences. The general purpose of simulations is to attain insight into the functioning of these systems and to predict their future states.The main meaning of simulation in the social sciences, communication, cognitive science, and artificial intelligence is computer simulation (CS). Simulations in this sense should always be defined with reference to a “real-world” phenomenon and to an abstract (theoretical) model. If a researcher is interested in a phenomenon (the target) he or she often tries to create an abstract model that is less complex than the target itself. In the social sciences the target usually is a dynamic entity. It changes over time and reacts to its environment. Therefore the model must capture the dynamics of the target. The model can be specified, for example, via a logical calculus or a mathematical equation connecting relevant variables. The development of the model over time can then be explored by the inspection of the development of its relevant variables. In the case of complex models, especially with nonlinear ... log in or subscribe to read full text