Table 2.

Message assessment framework (MAF).

Component	Description	Supporting theory/reference
Behavioral theory	Core theoretical models provide the foundation for message framing and agent decision-making. This study used EPPM and TPB, but the framework can also incorporate models such as the Health Belief Model, Social Cognitive Theory, and Elaboration Likelihood Model.	EPPM; TPB; Health Belief Model; SCT; ELM
Message design (theory-based messaging)	Experimental messages were framed using constructs from EPPM (fear, efficacy) and TPB (subjective norms), tested individually and in combination. A neutral control was also included.	Witte and Allen (2000), Ajzen (2020), Tannenbaum et al. (2015)
Agent Design (theory-based population agents)	Agents were embedded with constructs aligned with message framings: perceived threat (severity/susceptibility), efficacy (response/self-efficacy), and subjective norms. These shaped how agents processed messages and made evacuation decisions.	Morss et al. (2024), DiCarlo and Berglund (2020)
Belief–desire–intention (BDI) architecture	BDI architecture allowed agents to engage in goal-directed reasoning and planning, beyond simple “if–then” rules, improving realism in decision-making.	Archibald et al. (2024)
Behavioral outputs (evacuation vs. non-evacuation)	Outcomes depended on agents’ internal states and message framing. For example, high threat + high efficacy increased evacuation, while high threat + low efficacy led to fear control or inaction.	Schmidt-Colberg et al. (2024), Morss et al. (2024)