Reputation Formalization for an Information Sharing Multiagent System
University of New Brunswick, (February 2002)Abstract
We propose that through the formalization of concepts related to trust, a more accurate model
of trust can be implemented. This paper presents a new model of trust that is based on the
formalization of reputation. A multidisciplinary approach is taken to understanding the nature of
trust and its relation to reputation. Through this approach, a practical de¯nition of reputation is
adopted from sociological contexts and a model of reputation is designed and presented.
Reputation is de¯ned as role ful¯llment. In order to formalize reputation, it is necessary to
formalize the expectations placed upon an agent within a particular Multiagent System (MAS). In
this case, the agents are part of an information sharing society. Five roles are de¯ned along with
the ways in which these roles are objectively ful¯lled. Through the measurement of role ful¯llment,
a vector representing reputation can be developed. This vector embodies the magnitude of the
reputation and describes the patterns of behavior associated with the direction of the vector.
Experiments are conducted to verify the sensibility of the proposed models for role ful¯llment
and overall reputation. The simulation results shows that the roles, de¯ned for building reputation
in an information-sharing MAS environment, react to di®erent agent and user actions in a manner
consistent with the formal de¯nitions.