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Chapter 3
Types of Simulation

Paul Davidsson and Harko Verhagen

Abstract This looks at various ways that computer simulations can differ not in
terms of their detailed mechanisms but in terms of its broader purpose, structure,
ontology (what is represented), and approach to implementation. It starts with some
different roles of people that may be concerned with a simulation and goes on to look
at some of the different contexts within which a simulation is set (thus implying
its use or purpose). It then looks at the kinds of system that might be simulated.
Shifting to the modelling process, it looks at the role of the individuals within the
simulations, the interactions between individuals, and the environment that they are
embedded within. It then discusses the factors to consider in choosing a kind of
model and some of the approaches to implementing it.

Why Read This Chapter?
To understand the different ways that computer simulation can differ in terms
of (a) purpose, (b) targets for simulation, (c) what is represented, and (d) its
implementation and, subsequently, to be more aware of the choices to be made when
simulating social complexity.

3.1 Introduction

Simulation concerns the imitation of some aspects of the reality (past, present,
or future) for some purpose. We should contrast computer simulation to physical
simulation in which physical objects are substituted for the real thing. These
physical objects are often chosen because they are smaller or cheaper than the actual
object or system. When (some of) the objects in a physical simulation are humans,
we may refer to this as human simulation. However, the focus of this book is on

P. Davidsson ( )
Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden
e-mail: paul.davidsson@mah.se
H. Verhagen
Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden

© Springer International Publishing AG 2017 23
B. Edmonds, R. Meyer (eds.), Simulating Social Complexity,
Understanding Complex Systems, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-66948-9_3