Performance Moderated Functions Server's (PMFserv) Military Utility: A Model and Discussion

Abstract : The Performance Moderated Functions Server (PMFserv) modeling system is a structure designed to model the behavior of agents that are simulated based on established psychological principles. First, I detail the properties and principles of PMFserv, and then compare PMFserv to other prominent modeling. Based on these comparisons, PMFserv demonstrates a unique modeling skill set that may be of interest to U.S. Army research, and its limitations may be overcome through additional programming. I describe a model of a Robotics Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) as well as efforts to successfully add needed modeling functions to PMFserv, including greater use of stochastic processes, environment-evoked action, and thresholds. The model's results are presented including a critique of the type of results PMFserv offers, which are restricted to a list of actions. Finally, I discuss the model and consider the benefits and shortcoming of PMFserv regarding its applicability to military research problems. I conclude that PMFserv is limited by its inability to predict performance measures and lack of validation standards, though PMFserv may serve to provide insights into Army problems and solutions despite these limitations.