Graphical norms via conceptual graphs

The specification of acceptable behaviour can be achieved via the use of obligations, permissions and prohibitions, collectively known as norms, which identify the states of affairs that should, may, or should not hold. Norms provide the ability to constrain behaviour while preserving individual agent autonomy. While much work has focused on the semantics of norms, the design of normative systems, and in particular understanding the impact of norms on a system, has received little attention. Since norms often interact with each other (for example, a permission may temporarily derogate an obligation, or a prohibition and obligation may conflict), understanding the effects of norms and their interactions becomes increasingly difficult as the number of norms increases. Yet this understanding can be critical in facilitating the design and development of effective or efficient systems. In response, this paper addresses the problem of norm explanation for Naïve users by providing of a graphical norm representation that can explicate why a norm is applicable, violated or complied with, and identify the interactions between permissions and other types of norms. We adopt a conceptual graph based semantics to provide this graphical representation while maintaining a formal semantics.

► A novel graphical representation of norms, based on conceptual graphs is described. ► The interactions between permissions and obligations is captured through this graphical representation. ► The representation allows the status of a norm to be computed through graph theoretic operations. ► As far as we are aware, our work is the first to graphically explain the status of a norm.