Modeling cognition in complex decision problems

This paper describes an attempt to develop a computer simulation package which can take seriously the sociologists' assertion that problem situations are socially defined. Basing concepts on ideas from the Theory of Personal Constructs it becomes possible to consider the idiosyncratic dexcription of situations in terms of the structure of values, beliefs and ideas. The simulation model attempts to capture the way in which an individual comes to define a situation and considers possible strategies to change the situation.