Modelling social learning during participatory modeling processes

It is evident that participatory modelling is a useful approach when dealing with wicked, multi-actor, multi-perspective problems, such as the energy transition or climate change. Literature considers social learning to be the process taking place during participatory modelling. It is understood as the process of co-creation of knowledge, leading to convergence of goals and criteria, and a change in behaviour. While it is a key concept in the field of participatory modelling, the basic processes that drive social learning in this context remain unclear. This lack of a consistent theoretical basis diminishes our ability to consistently and purposefully design participatory processes and increase their effectiveness. We theorize that social learning is an emergent pattern, arising out of social (inter)actions of individuals over time, taking place during and around participatory modelling. Actors negotiate and conceptualize a situation, and use this conceptualisation as the basis for formalizing a model. This process is subject to differences in opinions; social mechanisms, such as status or power; different - and possibly - conflicting goals, perspectives, and rationalities. During these social (inter)actions, actors co-create knowledge by integrating and transforming shared knowledge. What these actions are precisely and how they lead to social learning is unclear. Concepts from social psychology and communication sciences about information processing and its impact on the thoughts and behaviour of participants offer a useful starting point. In order to systematically explore these concepts, we are developing an agent based model of the participatory modelling process, focusing on psychological and social processes within and between individuals during this process. We will present our model design and initial findings in how the model compares to a reference case study. Furthermore, we discuss possible development directions and potential impacts on process design.