Exploring neglected avenues in the modelling of attribution theory

This thesis is part of the requirements for completion of a Master's degree in Computer Science at the Department of Human Media Interaction from the University of Twente in the Netherlands. The subject of the thesis concerns work done at the Institute for Creative Technology (ICT) in Marina del Rey in California. The field of research is that of Virtual Humans, sometimes referred to as agents. While staying at the ICT, the assignment was to improve upon the modelling of attribution theory. In order to solve this problem, a study was made of the field of attribution theory and the computational models that implement it. After analyzing several potential points for improvement, the choice was made to extend the model presented by Mao by taking the aspect of negligence into account. Literature pertaining to negligence was also examined, and a model that allows inference of negligence by agents in a relatively simple agent environment was formed.