Alle Publikationen
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2017
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(2017): ‘What I see is not what you get’. Why culture-specific behaviours for virtual characters should be user-tested across cultures. In: AI & Society 32 (1), S. 37-49. DOI: 10.1007/s00146-014-0567-2
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-014-0567-2 Abstract: Abstract Integrating culture into the behavioural models of virtual characters requires knowledge from very different disciplines such as cross-cultural psychology and computer science. If culture-related behavioural differences are simulated with a virtual character system, users might not necessarily understand the intent of the designer. This is, in part, due to the influence of culture on not only users, but also designers. To gain a greater understanding of the instantiation of culture in the behaviour of virtual characters, and on this potential mismatch between designer and user, we have conducted two experiments. In these experiments, we tried to simulate one dimension of culture (Masculinity vs. Femininity) in the behaviour of virtual characters. We created four scenarios in the first experiment and six in the second. In each of these scenarios, the same two characters interact with each other. The verbal and non-verbal behaviour of these characters differs depending on their cultural scripts. In two user perception studies, we investigated how these differences are judged by human participants with different cultural backgrounds. Besides expected differences between participants from Masculine and Feminine countries, we found significant differences in perception between participants from Individualistic and Collectivistic countries. We also found that the user’s interpretation of the character’s motivation had a significant influence on the perception of the scenarios. Based on our findings, we giverecommendations for researchers that aim to design culture-specific behaviours for virtual characters.
Keywords: Agent-based Modelling, Behaviour modelling, Culture, Design, Disziplin, Evaluation, Favoriten, Interaktion, Kognitionswissenschaft/Social Sciences/Humanities, Kultur, Kultursensibilität, Kulturspezifizität, Kulturtheorie, Mensch-Technik-Relationen (MTR), Modell, Modelle/Theorien, Modellierung, Realtechnik, social importance dynamics, Soziosensitive Systeme, Technik, User testing, Virtual characters -
(2017): Culture-specific models of negotiation for virtual characters. Multi-attribute decision-making based on culture-specific values. In: AI & Society 32 (1), S. 51-63. DOI: 10.1007/s00146-014-0570-7
Abstract: We posit that observed differences in negotiation performance across cultures can be explained by participants trying to optimize across multiple values, where the relative importance of values differs across cultures. We look at two ways for specifying weights on values for different cultures: one in which the weights of the model are hand-crafted, based on intuition interpreting Hofstede dimensions for the cultures, and one in which the weights of the model are learned from data using inverse reinforcement learning (IRL). We apply this model to the Ultimatum Game and integrate it into a virtual human dialog system. We show that weights learned from IRL surpass both a weak baseline with random weights and a strong baseline considering only one factor for maximizing gain in own wealth in accounting for the behavior of human players from four different cultures. We also show that the weights learned with our model for one culture outperform weights learned for other cultures when playing against opponents of the first culture.
Keywords: Cultural decision-making, culture specific, Disziplin, entscheiden, Inverse reinforcement learning: Hofstede, Kulturtheorie, Mensch-Technik-Relationen (MTR), NEGOTIATION, Realtechnik, Science and Technology Studies (STS), social importance dynamics, Sozial Intelligente Agenten, Soziale Robotik, Spieltheorie, Technik, Ultimatum Game, virtual agents -
(2017): The Network Dynamics of Status. Assimilation and Selection. In: Social Forces 96 (1), S. 389-422. DOI: 10.1093/sf/sox040
Abstract: Using longitudinal data that we have collected on friendship and advice relations in a cohort of MBA students, we examine how status affects the dynamics of network ties among peers. Estimates of Stochastic Actor-Oriented Models (SAOMs) suggest that status is a consequence of network ties because over time the level of status attributed to individual students by other students tends to the average level of status attributed to their network partners-a phenomenon we call status assimilation. Status is also an antecedent to network ties because it affects partner selection decisions, giving rise to distinct forms of social attachment. We find that both network-based processes of status assimilation, as well as status-based processes of social selection, are present, but they vary subtly yet significantly across network domains. Students tend to the average level of status of their friends, but not to that of their advisors. High-status students are more active in the friendship network, but more popular in the advice network. We find evidence of performance homophily rather than status homophily: students with similar grades are more likely to exchange friendship and advice ties. High-status students tend to be more central in the advice network, but status attributions spill over through friendship, rather than advice relations. The study documents how the relation between social status and social networks varies both over time, as well as across network domains. The study also demonstrates the importance of accounting for multiplexity-the tendency of a network to operate through another.
Keywords: ADVICE, Bekanntheitsgrad, CENTRALITY, decision-making, Disziplin, EXCHANGE, Favoriten, friendship, Gruppenverhalten / Joint Action, INEQUALITY, MARKET, Modelle/Theorien, Netzwerk, Netzwerktheorien, ORGANIZATIONAL CHOICE, POWER, social importance dynamics, social networks, Soziale Angemessenheit, Soziologie, Status, Status-zentriert 2016
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(2016): Don't Be a Stranger-Designing a Digital Intercultural Sensitivity Training Tool that is Culture General. In: IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies 9 (2), S. 120-132. DOI: 10.1109/TLT.2015.2456912
Abstract: Digital intercultural training tools play an important role in helping people to mediate cultural misunderstandings. In recent years, these tools were made to teach about specific cultures, but there has been little attention for the design of a tool to teach about differences across a wide range of cultures. In this work, we take the first steps to create a digital self-contained culture-general training tool. In the first part of the article, we focus on different aspects and methods of intercultural training. This information is then used in the second part to evaluate the effect of these different methods on the perception of behaviour in misunderstandings. We found that experiential and story-based approaches may lead to different perceptions of participants. In the third part, we expanded on these critical incidents, and incorporated virtual characters, to evaluate if experiential incidents in an embedded story can lead to an attribution of perceived differences in behaviour to specific differences in culture and to users becoming less judgemental of inappropriate behaviours by people from different cultures. The results suggest that the tool had some effect, but that a debriefing relating the general differences to specific instances would be beneficial.
2015
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(2015): Culture’s causes. The next challenge. In: Cross Cultural Management: An International Journal 22 (4), S. 545-569. DOI: 10.1108/CCM-03-2015-0040
Abstract: Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to argue that in cross-cultural and strategic management, we must pay attention to the processes creating and maintaining culture. How can everyday interactions give rise to national, "deep" cultures, recognizable across centuries, or organizational cultures, recognizable across decades? Design/methodology/approach - This is a conceptual paper using the evidence provided by research about cultural patterns, and using sociological status-power theory to explain the causation of these patterns. Emergence, also called self-organization, is introduced as mechanism connecting individual-level causation with resulting system-level patterns. Cases are used to illustrate points. Findings - Simulation gaming and computational social simulation are introduced. These methods allow "growing" a system, thus allowing to experiment with potential interventions and their unanticipated effects. Research limitations/implications - This essay could have major implications for research, adding new methods to survey-based and case-based studies, and achieving a new synthesis. Strategic management today almost invariably involves cross-cultural elements. As a result, cross-cultural understanding is now strategically important. Practical implications - The suggestions in this essay could lead to new collaborations in the study of culture and organizational processes. Examples include team formation, negotiation, mergers and acquisitions, trans-national collaboration, incentive systems and job interviews. Social implications - The suggestions in this essay could contribute to our ability of proactively steering processes in organizations. In particular, they can provide a check to the notion that a control measure necessarily results in its intended effect. Originality/value - The synthesis of biological, sociological and cross-cultural psychological viewpoints with design-oriented method, using games or social simulations as research instruments, is original in the field.
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(2015): Norms, grounding, and cultural dynamics. In: Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology 46 (10), S. 1306-1310. DOI: 10.1177/0022022115611750
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0022022115611750 Abstract: The special issue collects intriguing and stimulating papers that speak to the importance of norms for cross-cultural psychology. It is a timely and welcome move not only because the concept of norms has been a well-recognized aspect of culture in cross-cultural psychology but also because it has recently emerged as a focal point of theory building and empirical research in a number of areas in social and policy sciences. In discussing norms, distinction between descriptive and injunctive norms is of great importance. Descriptive norms are about regularities of people’s thought, feelings, and action in a group, whereas injunctive norms are about regularities of people’s approval or disapproval about thought, feelings, and action in a group. In light of the current climate of cultural polarization, theoretically principled and empirically rigorous investigation of cultural dynamics is an urgent need. This special issue in particular make an important contribution to this endeavor. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)
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(2015): Modeling culture in intelligent virtual agents. In: Autonomous Agents and Multi-Agent Systems 30 (5), S. 931-962. DOI: 10.1007/s10458-015-9312-6
Abstract: This work addresses the challenge of creating virtual agents that are able to portray culturally appropriate behavior when interacting with other agents or humans. Because culture influences how people perceive their social reality it is important to have agent models that explicitly consider social elements, such as existing relational factors. We addressed this necessity by integrating culture into a novel model for simulating human social behavior. With this model, we operationalized a particular dimension of culture—individualism versus collectivism—within the context of an interactive narrative scenario that is part of an agent-based tool for intercultural training. Using this scenario we conducted a cross-cultural study in which participants from a collectivistic country (Portugal) were compared with participants from an individualistic country (the Netherlands) in the way they perceived and interacted with agents whose behavior was either individualistic or collectivistic, according to the configuration of the proposed model. In the obtained results, Portuguese subjects rated the collectivistic agents more positively than the Dutch but both countries had a similarly positive opinion about the individualistic agents. This experiment sheds new light on how people from different countries differ when assessing the social appropriateness of virtual agents, while also raising new research questions on this matter.
Keywords: Agent-based Modelling, cross-cultural, culturally appropriate behavior, Culture, Disziplin, Favoriten, individual vs collective, individuell, intercultural training, kollektiv, Kultur, Kulturspezifizität, Kulturtheorie, Modelle/Theorien, Modellierung, simulation, social appropriateness, social importance dynamics, virtual agents 2013
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(2013): Toward an Understanding of Culture and the Performance of Teams in Complex Systems. In: IEEE Systems Journal 7 (4), S. 606-615. DOI: 10.1109/JSYST.2012.2206153
Abstract: Systems are becoming ever more complex and the practice of systems engineering is becoming more formalized. However, this formalization is aimed primarily at the technical and process components of complex systems and systems of systems. National cultural variations in the human components of such systems (typically functioning as groups or teams) are not typically included in the formal specifications and, as a result, the technical end products do not fully compensate for these variations. This paper provides an introduction to culture, its sources, its measurement, and its effects on team performance. It presents a summary of the research literature on culture and teams, and an overview of a set of pilot studies carried out by the authors. It then describes a methodology and software tool developed by the authors for the assessment of the cultural traits of team members and the estimation of the effects of team member culture on team performance. This paper concludes that despite some disparities in the results of research studies, sufficiently strong relationships between culture and team performance have been established to justify the development of culture-sensitive team performance prediction tools.
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(2013) : Social Importance Dynamics. A Model for Culturally-Adaptive Agents In: Aylett, Ruth; Krenn, Brigitte; Pelachaud, Catherine; Shimodaira, Hiroshi (Hg.): Intelligent Virtual Agents: 13th International Conference IVA 2013 Proceedings: Berlin; Heidelberg: Springer, S. 325-338
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-40415-3_29 Abstract: The unwritten rules of human cultures greatly affect social behaviour and as such should be considered in the development of socially intelligent agents. So far, there has been a large focus on modeling cultural aspects related to non-verbal behaviour such as gaze or body posture. However, culture also dictates how we perceive and treat others from a relational perspective. Namely, what do we expect from others in different social situations and how much are we willing to do for others as well. In this article we present a culturally configurable model of such social dynamics. The aim is to facilitate the creation of agents with distinct cultural behaviour, which emerges from different parametrisations of the proposed model. The practical application of the model was tested in the development of an agent-based application for intercultural training, in which the model is responsible for driving the socio-cultural behaviour of the virtual agents.
Keywords: Adaptive Systeme, Disziplin, doppelter Treffer, Favoriten, Kultur, kulturadaptives System, Kulturspezifizität, Kulturtheorie, Mensch-Technik-Relationen (MTR), Modell, Modelle/Theorien, Modellierung, Realtechnik, social importance dynamics, Soziale Angemessenheit, Soziosensitive Systeme, soziosensitives System, Technik, Volltreffer 2012
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(2012): Cultural Differentiation of Negotiating Agents. In: Group Decision and Negotiation 21 (1), S. 79-98. DOI: 10.1007/s10726-010-9190-x
Abstract: Negotiations proceed differently across cultures. For realistic modeling of agents in multicultural negotiations, the agents must display culturally differentiated behavior. This paper presents an agent-based simulation model that tackles these challenges, based on Hofstede’s model of national cultures. The context is a trade network for goods with a hidden quality attribute. The negotiation model is based on the ABMP negotiation architecture and applies a utility function that includes market value, quality preference and risk attitude. The five dimensions of Hofstede’s model are the basis for the modification of ABMP parameters and weight factors in the utility function. The agents can observe each other’s group membership and status. This information is used, along with the indices of Hofstede’s dimensions, to differentiate behavior in different cultural settings. The paper presents results of test runs that verify the implementation of the model. The model helps to explain behaviors of actors in international trade networks. It proves that Hofstede’s dimensions can be used to generate culturally differentiated agents. Further validations of the model with case studies from literature and experiments have yet to be conducted. Extensions can make this model a useful tool for training traders who engage in cross-cultural negotiation and for implementation in negotiation support systems.
2011
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(2011): Status, power and ritual interaction. A relational reading of Durkheim, Goffman and Collins. Farnham: AshgateKeywords: Collins, Randall, Collins, Randall, 1941---Knowledge--Social psychology, Durkheim, Émile, Durkheim, Émile, 1858-1917--Knowledge--Social psychology, Goffman, Erving, Goffman, Erving--Knowledge--Social psychology, Macht, Power (Social sciences), Prestige, Ritual, social importance dynamics, Social interaction--Philosophy, Social psychology--Philosophy, Social status, Social status--Psychological aspects, Sozialstatus
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(2011): Agent-based modeling of consumer decision making process based on power distance and personality. In: KNOWLEDGE-BASED SYSTEMS 24 (7), S. 1075-1095. DOI: 10.1016/j.knosys.2011.05.001
Abstract: Simulating consumer decision making processes involves different disciplines such as: sociology, social psychology, marketing, and computer science. In this paper, we propose an agent-based conceptual and computational model of consumer decision-making based on culture, personality and human needs. It serves as a model for individual behavior in models that investigate system-level resulting behavior. Theoretical concepts operationalized in the model are the Power Distance dimension of Hofstede’s model of national culture; Extroversion, Agreeableness and Openness of Costa and McCrae’s five-factor model of personality, and social status and social responsibility needs. These factors are used to formulate the utility function, process and update the agent state, need recognition and action estimation modules of the consumer decision process. The model was validated against data on culture, personality, wealth and car purchasing from eleven European countries. It produces believable results for the differences of consumer purchasing across eleven European countries.
2008
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(2008) : Das Unvorhergesehene steuern?. Zum Umgang mit der komplexen Dynamik in Technologieaneignungsprozessen In: Gumm, Dorina; Janneck, Monique; Langer, Roman; Simon, Edouard J. (Hg.): Mensch - Technik - Ärger? Zur Beherrschbarkeit soziotechnischer Dynamik aus transdisziplinärer Sicht: Münster: Lit (Arbeitsgestaltung, Technikbewertung, Zukunft, Band 19), S. 85-101
Abstract: Unter Heranziehung von Ergebnissen eines Forschungsprojekts, in dem eine informationstechnische Unterstützung für Netzwerke freiberuflicher "Wissensarbeiterinnen" und "Wissensarbeiter" entwickelt und erprobt werden sollte, wird informiert über Wechselwirkungen zwischen Technik, Struktur und sozialen und organisatorischen Prozessen, die im Rahmen des Einsatzes von Kommunikationstechnik entstehen. Dabei werden die folgenden beiden Wechselwirkungen besprochen: sozio-technische Prozesse, bei denen bestehende Netzwerkstruktur, -kommunikation und -kooperation auf die technisch vermittelte Interaktion projiziert wird; techno-soziale Prozesse, in denen Technik auf die soziale Interaktion im Netzwerk einwirkt. Fokussiert werden die folgenden Aspekte: Veränderungen in der Bedeutung von Netzwerkfunktionen, Vergegenständlichung impliziter Hierarchien und Netzwerkstrukturen, erhöhte Sichtbarkeit der Beteiligungsstruktur, Nutzung und Schutz von Informationsressourcen; Entstehung neuer Rollen und Machtstrukturen; veränderte Kompetenzzuschreibungen, neue Funktionen der Technik als "Sündenböcke" für Mitglieder-Passivität. Insgesamt wird deutlich, dass die Technik die sozialen Prozesse verändert und dass die Technikeinführung eine Eigendynamik entwickelt.
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Gumm, Dorina; Janneck, Monique; Langer, Roman; Simon, Edouard J. (Hg.) (2008): Mensch - Technik - Ärger? Zur Beherrschbarkeit soziotechnischer Dynamik aus transdisziplinärer Sicht. Münster: Lit (Arbeitsgestaltung, Technikbewertung, Zukunft, Band 19)
Abstract: Die Informationstechnik hat in fast allen privaten wie beruflichen Bereichen Einzug gehalten. Schüler erhalten Informatikunterricht, Beschäftigte haben sich nach und nach–meist über „learning by doing “–die für ihren beruflichen Bereich notwendigen Qualifikationen angeeignet. Die ältere Generation lässt sich von ihren Enkeln „coachen “oder besucht Volkshochschulkurse...
2007
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Pelachaud, Catherine; Martin, Jean-Claude; André, Elisabeth; Chollet, Gérard; Karpouzis, Kostas; Pelé, Danielle (Hg.) (2007): Intelligent virtual agents. 7th international conference, IVA 2007, Paris, France, September 17-19, 2007: Proceedings. Iva; International Conference on Intelligent Virtual Agents. Berlin: Springer (Lecture notes in computer science Lecture notes in artificial intelligence)
2006
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(2006): Modelling Trade and Trust Across Cultures. In: Lecture Notes in Computer Science, S. 120-134
Abstract: Misunderstandings arise in international trade due to difference in cultural background of trade partners. Trust and the role it plays in trade are influenced by culture. Considering that trade always involves working on the relationship with the trade partner, understanding the behaviour of the other is of the essence. This paper proposes to involve cultural dimensions in the modelling of trust in trade situations. A case study is presented to show a conceptualisation of trust with respect to the cultural dimension of performance orientation versus cooperation orientation.
Keywords: social importance dynamics 2001
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(2001): Culture's Consequences. Comparing Values, Behaviors, Institutions, and Organizations Across Nations. 2. Thousand Oaks: SageKeywords: Kulturtheorie, social importance dynamics
1998
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(1998): Test of the emergent norm theory of collective behavior. In: Sociological Forum 13 (2), S. 301-320. DOI: 10.1023/A:1022145900928
Abstract: Objective: The paper uses the timing of evacuation behavior of occupants of the World Trade Center at the time of the explosion of February 26, 1993, to test predictions from Emergent Norm Theory. Method: Tf uses ordinary least square multiple regression analysis to examine data from a survey done in the first week in May 1993 of 415 people who worked at the World Trade Center. Results: The theory's predictions regarding the additive effects of size of group and preexisting social relationships on the timing of evacuation are supported. However the findings document important and unexpected interaction effects of these two variables on the effects of perceived threat, resources, and cooperativeness on the timing of evacuation. Conclusion: The results augment the theory by showing the continued importance of enduring social relationships as determinants of collective behavior: Enduring social relationships are not only useful to differentiate collective behavior from institutionalized behavior but also specify the dynamics attending the occurrence of collective behavior.
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