A Norm Assimilation Approach for Multi-agent Systems in Heterogeneous Communities

In a heterogeneous community, which constitutes a number of social groups that adopt different social norms, norm assimilation is considered as the main problem for a new member to join a desired social group. Studies in norm assimilation seem to be lacking in concept and theory within this research domain. Consequently, this paper proposes a norm assimilation approach, in which a new agent attempts to join a social group via assimilating with the social group’s norms. Several cases are considered for an agent’s decision which are, can assimilate, could assimilate, and cannot assimilate. We develop the norm assimilation approach based on the agent’s internal belief about its ability and its external belief about the assimilation cost of a number of social groups. From its beliefs about its ability and assimilation cost, it is able to decide whether to proceed or decline the assimilation with a specific social group or join another group.