ABSTRACT
The primary purpose of cognitive simulations is to reify mental constructs, that is, to manifest theories and models of human mental functioning in computer programs. Cognitive simulations convert a set of vague ideas into a more specific and precise theory (Kieras, 1985). In so doing, simulations also provide detailed theoretical statements that summarize data on human mental functioning (Kieras, 1990) that can be used to explore and validate psychological theories (Neches, 1982). Cognitive simulations should be built when you want to articulate and better understand some theoretical ideas; when you want to explain phenomena in detail; when you want to clarify what humans might be doing or thinking while completing a task; or when you want to design experiments to explore new phenomena (Kieras, 1985). Cognitive simulations provide a medium for testing theories in a computational model.
