Thirty Years of Sense and Sensibility in Agent-Based Models: A Bibliometric Analysis

Loïs Vanhée, Melania Borit

Abstract: Emotion and cognition are at the core of human behaviour and modelling human behaviour is at the core of social simulation. Using a bibliometric analysis of publications connecting agent-based modelling with cognition (sense), emotion (sensibility), or both, this study describes the evolution of the field, explores trends, and identifies existing gaps, and proposes potential future developments. Our results indicate that Sense and Sensibility research tracks have seen a significant growth over the last 30 years and a sustained interest with regards to the agent-based modelling community as a whole. However, results also show that such research has issues reaching beyond computer science venues and that, despite its important demands in terms of competence building, relatively few researchers become regular contributors of the field.