We describe a computational model of social norms based on identifying values that a certain culture finds desirable such as dignity, generosity and politeness. The model quantifies these values in the form of Culture-Sanctioned Social Metrics (CSSMs) and treats social norms as the requirement to maximize these metrics from the perspective of the self, peers and public. This model can be used to create realistic social simulations, to explain or predict human behavior in specific scenarios, or as a component of robots or agents that need to interact with humans in specific social-cultural settings. We validate the model by using it to represent a complex deception scenario and showing that it can yield non-trivial insights such as the explanation of apparently irrational human behavior.
Another influential model that specifically aims to quantitatively measure cultural differences, is the cultural dimensions theory of Geert Hofstede @cite_13 . The most recent revision of the theory considers six quantitative cultural dimensions: (1) power distance, the acceptance of unequal distribution of power, (2) individualism versus collectivism, (3) uncertainty avoidance (4) masculinity versus femininity, a metric measuring the balance between assertiveness and competitiveness versus a focus on cooperation, human relations and quality of life, (5) long term versus short term orientation and (6) indulgence versus self-restraint. From the point of view of our model, social metrics can be associated with one or more of these dimensions - for instance dignity has relevance to (1) and (4), while wealth to (5) and (6). Furthermore, Hofstede's analysis shows us that even if two cultures define the same set of social metrics, they might weight these differently in practical behavior.
@cite_13
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We consider a cross-cultural interaction scenario where a group of soldiers assisted by robots interact with local vendors in a market place. We develop a model to quantify, analyze and predict the perception of the actions of the soldiers and the robot by the local population. The model assumes that humans are considering collections of concrete and intangible values which are not, in general, directly and linearly convertible into each other. We argue that satisfactory modeling accuracy can be achieved by restricting the considered intangibles to a small set of culture sanctioned social values. For these values, the culture provides a name, calculation methods, as well as associated rules of conduct. We validate our model by comparing the predicted values with the judgment of a large group of human observers cognizant of the modeled culture. We use the model to evaluate the tradeoffs between several long term strategies to maintain security as well as to increase the trust and goodwill of the local population.