It takes a village to model complex behaviour: A community-based approach

Understanding the mechanisms underlying complex behaviours--such as reading, decision-making, and human-animal interactions--requires theoretical frameworks that capture real-world complexity while remaining interpretable. While psychological and cognitive sciences seem well-positioned to provide such frameworks, they are facing a confidence crisis. A key issue is the lack of robust, precise theories capable of guiding research. To address this, it has been suggested that computational or mathematical models should be developed to formalise tentative theories. Mathematical psychology and computational modelling offer the necessary tools and competencies, yet they are often either too opaque for domain experts without computational expertise or too simplistic for complex behaviours, frequently focusing on toy examples or highly controlled tasks. Here, we present key insights from a workshop where interdisciplinary teams tackled the challenge of modeling the mechanisms underlying complex behaviours through case studies on reading comprehension, autism-related categorisation, negotiation, and human-wildlife conflict. Five key considerations emerged: (1) defining the problem, (2) forming and maintaining a team, (3) selecting the modelling approach(es), (4) implementing the model(s), and (5) making practical decisions and evaluating the model(s). These aspects are interdependent, each influencing the others. Addressing the challenge of modelling complex behaviour requires a community approach: fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, adopting transparent modelling practices, and embracing iterative refinement. By bridging theoretical and practical gaps, computational modelling can move beyond simplified problems to better capture real-world cognition and behaviour.