Physics and Astronomy › Statistical and Nonlinear Physics

Opinion Dynamics and Social Influence

Works Count: 44646

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Description

This cluster of papers explores the statistical physics of opinion dynamics, focusing on social influence, bounded confidence, agent-based modeling, polarization, network dynamics, consensus formation, majority rule, homophily, and sociophysics.

Keywords

Opinion Dynamics; Social Influence; Bounded Confidence; Agent-Based Modeling; Polarization; Network Dynamics; Consensus Formation; Majority Rule; Homophily; Sociophysics

Theories of Communication Networks

2003-03-27

Peter R. Monge , Noshir Contractor

To date, most network research contains one or more of five major problems. First, it tends to be atheoretical, ignoring the various social theories that contain network implications. Second, it … To date, most network research contains one or more of five major problems. First, it tends to be atheoretical, ignoring the various social theories that contain network implications. Second, it explores single levels of analysis rather than the multiple levels out of which most networks are comprised. Third, network analysis has employed very little the insights from contemporary complex systems analysis and computer simulations. Foruth, it typically uses descriptive rather than inferential statistics, thus robbing it of the ability to make claims about the larger universe of networks. Finally, almost all the research is static and cross-sectional rather than dynamic. Theories of Communication Networks presents solutions to all five problems. The authors develop a multitheoretical model that relates different social science theories with different network properties. This model is multilevel, providing a network decomposition that applies the various social theories to all network levels: individuals, dyads, triples, groups, and the entire network. The book then establishes a model from the perspective of complex adaptive systems and demonstrates how to use Blanche, an agent-based network computer simulation environment, to generate and test network theories and hypotheses. It presents recent developments in network statistical analysis, the p* family, which provides a basis for valid multilevel statistical inferences regarding networks. Finally, it shows how to relate communication networks to other networks, thus providing the basis in conjunction with computer simulations to study the emergence of dynamic organizational networks.

The concept of power

2007-01-17

Robert A. Dahl

What is "power"? Most people have an intuitive notion of what it means. But scientists have not yet formulated a statement of the concept of power that is rigorous enough … What is "power"? Most people have an intuitive notion of what it means. But scientists have not yet formulated a statement of the concept of power that is rigorous enough to be of use in the systematic study of this important social phenomenon. Power is here defined in terms of a relation between people, and is expressed in simple symbolic notation. From this definition is developed a statement of power comparability, or the relative degree of power held by two or more persons. With these concepts it is possible for example, to rank members of the United States Senate according to their "power" over legislation on foreign policy and on tax and fiscal policy.

Experimental evidence of massive-scale emotional contagion through social networks

2014-06-02

Adam Kramer , Jamie Guillory , Jeffrey T. Hancock

Emotional states can be transferred to others via emotional contagion, leading people to experience the same emotions without their awareness. Emotional contagion is well established in laboratory experiments, with people … Emotional states can be transferred to others via emotional contagion, leading people to experience the same emotions without their awareness. Emotional contagion is well established in laboratory experiments, with people transferring positive and negative emotions to others. Data from a large real-world social network, collected over a 20-y period suggests that longer-lasting moods (e.g., depression, happiness) can be transferred through networks [Fowler JH, Christakis NA (2008) BMJ 337:a2338], although the results are controversial. In an experiment with people who use Facebook, we test whether emotional contagion occurs outside of in-person interaction between individuals by reducing the amount of emotional content in the News Feed. When positive expressions were reduced, people produced fewer positive posts and more negative posts; when negative expressions were reduced, the opposite pattern occurred. These results indicate that emotions expressed by others on Facebook influence our own emotions, constituting experimental evidence for massive-scale contagion via social networks. This work also suggests that, in contrast to prevailing assumptions, in-person interaction and nonverbal cues are not strictly necessary for emotional contagion, and that the observation of others' positive experiences constitutes a positive experience for people.

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Rediscovering the Social Group: A Self-Categorization Theory.

1989-07-01

David Willer , John Turner , Michael A. Hogg +3 more

1. Introducing the Problem: Individual and Group 2. Rediscovering the Social Group 3. A Self-Categorization Theory 4. The Analysis of Social Influence 5. Social Identity 6. The Salience of Social … 1. Introducing the Problem: Individual and Group 2. Rediscovering the Social Group 3. A Self-Categorization Theory 4. The Analysis of Social Influence 5. Social Identity 6. The Salience of Social Categories 7. Social Identity and Group Polarization 8. Crowd Behaviour as Social Action 9. Conclusion.

Small worlds: the dynamics of networks between order and randomness

2000-06-01

Jie Wu , Duncan J. Watts

Everyone knows the small-world phenomenon: soon after meeting a stranger, we are surprised to discover that we have a mutual friend, or we are connected through a short chain of … Everyone knows the small-world phenomenon: soon after meeting a stranger, we are surprised to discover that we have a mutual friend, or we are connected through a short chain of acquaintances. In his book, Duncan Watts uses this intriguing phenomenon--colloquially called six degrees of separation--as a prelude to a more general exploration: under what conditions can a small world arise in any kind of network?The networks of this story are everywhere: the brain is a network of neurons; organisations are people networks; the global economy is a network of national economies, which are networks of markets, which are in turn networks of interacting producers and consumers. Food webs, ecosystems, and the Internet can all be represented as networks, as can strategies for solving a problem, topics in a conversation, and even words in a language. Many of these networks, the author claims, will turn out to be small worlds.How do such networks matter? Simply put, local actions can have global consequences, and the relationship between local and global dynamics depends critically on the network's structure. Watts illustrates the subtleties of this relationship using a variety of simple models---the spread of infectious disease through a structured population; the evolution of cooperation in game theory; the computational capacity of cellular automata; and the sychronisation of coupled phase-oscillators.Watts's novel approach is relevant to many problems that deal with network connectivity and complex systems' behaviour in general: How do diseases (or rumours) spread through social networks? How does cooperation evolve in large groups? How do cascading failures propagate through large power grids, or financial systems? What is the most efficient architecture for an organisation, or for a communications network? This fascinating exploration will be fruitful in a remarkable variety of fields, including physics and mathematics, as well as sociology, economics, and biology.

The Matthew effect in science. The reward and communication systems of science are considered.

1968-01-05

Robert Κ. Merton

This account of the Matthew effect is another small exercise in the psychosociological analysis of the workings of science as a social institution. The initial problem is transformed by a … This account of the Matthew effect is another small exercise in the psychosociological analysis of the workings of science as a social institution. The initial problem is transformed by a shift in theoretical perspective. As originally identified, the Matthew effect was construed in terms of enhancement of the position of already eminent scientists who are given disproportionate credit in cases of collaboration or of independent multiple discoveries. Its significance was thus confined to its implications for the reward system of science. By shifting the angle of vision, we note other possible kinds of consequences, this time for the communication system of science. The Matthew effect may serve to heighten the visibility of contributions to science by scientists of acknowledged standing and to reduce the visibility of contributions by authors who are less well known. We examine the psychosocial conditions and mechanisms underlying this effect and find a correlation between the redundancy function of multiple discoveries and the focalizing function of eminent men of science—a function which is reinforced by the great value these men place upon finding basic problems and by their self-assurance. This self-assurance, which is partly inherent, partly the result of experiences and associations in creative scientific environments, and partly a result of later social validation of their position, encourages them to search out risky but important problems and to highlight the results of their inquiry. A macrosocial version of the Matthew principle is apparently involved in those processes of social selection that currently lead to the concentration of scientific resources and talent ( 50 ).

A new status index derived from sociometric analysis

1953-03-01

Leo Katz

Threshold Models of Collective Behavior

1978-05-01

Mark Granovetter

Models of collective behavior are developed for situations where actors have two alternatives and the costs and/or benefits of each depend on how many other actors choose which alternative. The … Models of collective behavior are developed for situations where actors have two alternatives and the costs and/or benefits of each depend on how many other actors choose which alternative. The key concept is that of "threshold": the number or proportion of others who must make one decision before a given actor does so; this is the point where net benefits begin to exceed net costs for that particular actor. Beginning with a frequency distribution of thresholds, the models allow calculation of the ultimate or "equilibrium" number making each decision. The stability of equilibrium results against various possible changes in threshold distributions is considered. Stress is placed on the importance of exact distributions distributions for outcomes. Groups with similar average preferences may generate very different results; hence it is hazardous to infer individual dispositions from aggregate outcomes or to assume that behavior was directed by ultimately agreed-upon norms. Suggested applications are to riot behavior, innovation and rumor diffusion, strikes, voting, and migration. Issues of measurement, falsification, and verification are discussed.

The Online Disinhibition Effect

2004-06-01

John R. Suler

While online, some people self-disclose or act out more frequently or intensely than they would in person. This article explores six factors that interact with each other in creating this … While online, some people self-disclose or act out more frequently or intensely than they would in person. This article explores six factors that interact with each other in creating this online disinhibition effect: dissociative anonymity, invisibility, asynchronicity, solipsistic introjection, dissociative imagination, and minimization of authority. Personality variables also will influence the extent of this disinhibition. Rather than thinking of disinhibition as the revealing of an underlying "true self," we can conceptualize it as a shift to a constellation within self-structure, involving clusters of affect and cognition that differ from the in-person constellation.

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Dynamical Theory of Groups and Fields

1966-12-01

Bryce S. DeWitt , Albert A. Mullin

First Page First Page

Reversibility and Stochastic Networks

1981-05-01

Joel E. Cohen , F. P. Kelly

This classic in stochastic network modelling broke new ground when it was published in 1979, and it remains a superb introduction to reversibility and its applications. The book concerns behaviour … This classic in stochastic network modelling broke new ground when it was published in 1979, and it remains a superb introduction to reversibility and its applications. The book concerns behaviour in equilibrium of vector stochastic processes or stochastic networks. When a stochastic network is reversible its analysis is greatly simplified, and the first chapter is devoted to a discussion of the concept of reversibility. The rest of the book focuses on the various applications of reversibility and the extent to which the assumption of reversibility can be relaxed without destroying the associated tractability. Now back in print for a new generation, this book makes enjoyable reading for anyone interested in stochastic processes thanks to the author's clear and easy-to-read style. Elementary probability is the only prerequisite and exercises are interspersed throughout.

Statistical physics of social dynamics

2009-05-11

Claudio Castellano , Santo Fortunato , Vittorio Loreto

Statistical physics has proven to be a fruitful framework to describe phenomena outside the realm of traditional physics. Recent years have witnessed an attempt by physicists to study collective phenomena … Statistical physics has proven to be a fruitful framework to describe phenomena outside the realm of traditional physics. Recent years have witnessed an attempt by physicists to study collective phenomena emerging from the interactions of individuals as elementary units in social structures. A wide list of topics are reviewed ranging from opinion and cultural and language dynamics to crowd behavior, hierarchy formation, human dynamics, and social spreading. The connections between these problems and other, more traditional, topics of statistical physics are highlighted. Comparison of model results with empirical data from social systems are also emphasized.

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The Rise and Fall of Social Problems: A Public Arenas Model

1988-07-01

Stephen Hilgartner , Charles L. Bosk

This paper develops a model of the process through which social problems rise and fall. Treating public attention as a scarce resource, the model emphasizes competition and selection in the … This paper develops a model of the process through which social problems rise and fall. Treating public attention as a scarce resource, the model emphasizes competition and selection in the media and other arenas of public discourse. Linkages among public arenas produce feedback that drives the growth of social problems. Growth is constrained by the finite "carrying capacities" of public arenas, by competition, and by the need for sustained drama. The tension between the constraints and forces for growth produces successive waves of problem definitions, as problems and those who promote them compete to enter and to remain on the public agenda. Suggestions for empirical tests of the model are specified.

Mixing beliefs among interacting agents

2000-01-01

Guillaume Deffuant , David B. Neau , Frédéric Amblard +1 more

We present a model of opinion dynamics in which agents adjust continuous opinions as a result of random binary encounters whenever their difference in opinion is below a given threshold. … We present a model of opinion dynamics in which agents adjust continuous opinions as a result of random binary encounters whenever their difference in opinion is below a given threshold. High thresholds yield convergence of opinions towards an average opinion, whereas low thresholds result in several opinion clusters: members of the same cluster share the same opinion but are no longer influenced by members of other clusters.

Trust as a Social Reality

1985-06-01

Jane Lewis , Andrew J. Weigert

Although trust is an underdeveloped concept in sociology, promising theoretical formulations are available in the recent work of Luhmann and Barber. This sociological version complements the psychological and attitudinal conceptualizations … Although trust is an underdeveloped concept in sociology, promising theoretical formulations are available in the recent work of Luhmann and Barber. This sociological version complements the psychological and attitudinal conceptualizations of experimental and survey researchers. Trust is seen to include both emotional and cognitive dimensions and to function as a deep assumption underwriting social order. Contemporary examples such as lying, family exchange, monetary attitudes, and litigation illustrate the centrality of trust as a sociological reality. In recent years, sociologists have begun to treat trust as a sociological topic (e.g., Conviser; Garfinkel; Haas and Deseran; Henslin; Holzner; Strub and Priest; Weigert,a,b). Indeed, two short and powerful books, Niklas Luhmann's Trust and Pauoer (1979) and Bernard Barber's The Logic and Limits of Trust (1983), have placed trust at the center of sociological theorizing about contemporary society. Nevertheless, we agree with Luhmann's lament that there is a regrettably sparse literature which has trust as its main theme within (8). There is a large quantity of research on trust by experimental psychologists and political scientists, which, however, appears theoretically unintegrated and incomplete from the standpoint of a sociology of trust. These researchers typically conceptualize trust as a psychological event within the individual rather than as an intersubjective or systemic social reality. They also tend to use methodological approaches that reduce trust to its cognitive content through psychometric scaling techniques or to its behavioral expressions in laboratory settings. Luhmann and Barber, on the other hand, present trust as an irreducible and multidimiensional so

Learning from the Behavior of Others: Conformity, Fads, and Informational Cascades

1998-08-01

Sushil Bikhchandani , David Hirshleifer , Ivo Welch

Learning by observing the past decisions of others can help explain some otherwise puzzling phenomena about human behavior. For example, why do people tend to converge on similar behavior? Why … Learning by observing the past decisions of others can help explain some otherwise puzzling phenomena about human behavior. For example, why do people tend to converge on similar behavior? Why is mass behavior prone to error and fads? The authors argue that the theory of observational learning, and particularly of informational cascades, has much to offer economics, business strategy, political science, and the study of criminal behavior.

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Introduction to stochastic actor-based models for network dynamics

2009-03-27

Tom A. B. Snijders , Gerhard G. van de Bunt , Christian Steglich

The Third-Person Effect in Communication

1983-01-01

W. Phillips Davison

Stochastic blockmodels: First steps

1983-06-01

Paul W. Holland , Kathryn Blackmond Laskey , Samuel Leinhardt

Compliance, identification, and internalization three processes of attitude change

1958-03-01

Herbert C. Kelman

1 An earlier draft of this paper was written while the author was with the Laboratory of Psychology, National Institute of Mental Health, and was read at the annual meeting … 1 An earlier draft of this paper was written while the author was with the Laboratory of Psychology, National Institute of Mental Health, and was read at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association in Chicago on August 30, 1956. The experiment reported here was conducted while the author was at Johns Hopkins University as a Public Health Service Research Fellow of the National Institute of Mental Health. Additional financial support was received from the Yale Communication Research Program, which is under the direction of Carl I. Hovland and which is operating under a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation. The author is particularly grateful to James Owings for his help in running the experiment; to Ramon J. Rhine and Janet Baldwin Barclay for their help in analysis of the data; and to Roger K. Williams, Chairman of the Psychology Department at Morgan State College, for the many ways in which he facilitated collection of the data. nication produce public conformity without private acceptance, or did it produce public conformity coupled with private acceptance? (Cf. 1, 4.) Only if we know something about the nature and depth of changes can we make meaningful predictions about the way in which attitude changes will be reflected in subsequent actions and reactions to events.

The Strength of Weak Ties

1973-05-01

Mark Granovetter

Analysis of social networks is suggested as a tool for linking micro and macro levels of sociological theory. The procedure is illustrated by elaboration of the macro implications of one … Analysis of social networks is suggested as a tool for linking micro and macro levels of sociological theory. The procedure is illustrated by elaboration of the macro implications of one aspect of small-scale interaction: the strength of dyadic ties. It is argued that the degree of overlap of two individuals' friendship networks varies directly with the strength of their tie to one another. The impact of this principle on diffusion of influence and information, mobility opportunity, and community organization is explored. Stress is laid on the cohesive power of weak ties. Most network models deal, implicitly, with strong ties, thus confining their applicability to small, well-defined groups. Emphasis on weak ties lends itself to discussion of relations between groups and to analysis of segments of social structure not easily defined in terms of primary groups.

Reducing Social Context Cues: Electronic Mail in Organizational Communication

1986-11-01

Lee Sproull , Sara Kiesler

This paper examines electronic mail in organizational communication. Based on ideas about how social context cues within a communication setting affect information exchange, it argues that electronic mail does not … This paper examines electronic mail in organizational communication. Based on ideas about how social context cues within a communication setting affect information exchange, it argues that electronic mail does not simply speed up the exchange of information but leads to the exchange of new information as well. In a field study in a Fortune 500 company, we used questionnaire data and actual messages to examine electronic mail communication at all levels of the organization. Based on hypotheses from research on social communication, we explored effects of electronic communication related to self-absorption, status equalization, and uninhibited behavior. Consistent with experimental studies, we found that decreasing social context cues has substantial deregulating effects on communication. And we found that much of the information conveyed through electronic mail was information that would not have been conveyed through another medium.

The Functional Approach to the Study of Attitudes

1960-01-01

Daniel Katz

Journal Article THE FUNCTIONAL APPROACH TO THE STUDY OF ATTITUDES Get access DANIEL KATZ DANIEL KATZ The author is Professor of Psychology at the University of Michigan, former president of … Journal Article THE FUNCTIONAL APPROACH TO THE STUDY OF ATTITUDES Get access DANIEL KATZ DANIEL KATZ The author is Professor of Psychology at the University of Michigan, former president of the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues, and co-editor of Research Methods in the Behavioral Sciences and Public Opinion and Propaganda Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Public Opinion Quarterly, Volume 24, Issue 2, SUMMER 1960, Pages 163–204, https://doi.org/10.1086/266945 Published: 01 January 1960

Opinion Dynamics and Bounded Confidence Models, Analysis and Simulation

2002-06-30

Rainer Hegselmann , Ulrich Krause

When does opinion formation within an interacting group lead to consensus, polarization or fragmentation? The article investigates various models for the dynamics of continuous opinions by analytical methods as well … When does opinion formation within an interacting group lead to consensus, polarization or fragmentation? The article investigates various models for the dynamics of continuous opinions by analytical methods as well as by computer simulations. Sec- tion 2 develops within a unified framework the classical model of consensus formation, the variant of this model due to Friedkin and Johnsen, a time-dependent version and a nonlinear version with bounded confidence of the agents. Section 3 presents for all these models major analytical results. Section 4 gives an extensive exploration of the nonlinear model with bounded confidence by a series of computer simulations. An ap- pendix supplies needed mathematical definitions, tools, and theorems.

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SOCIAL NETWORKS AND THE PERFORMANCE OF INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS.

2001-04-01

Raymond T. Sparrowe , Robert C. Liden , S. J. Wayne +1 more

A field study involving 190 employees in 38 work groups representing five diverse organizations provided evidence that social networks, as defined in terms of both positive and negative relations, are … A field study involving 190 employees in 38 work groups representing five diverse organizations provided evidence that social networks, as defined in terms of both positive and negative relations, are related to both individual and group performance. As hypothesized, individual job performance was positively related to centrality in advice networks and negatively related to centrality in hindrance networks composed of relationships tending to thwart task behaviors. Hindrance network density was significantly and negatively related to group performance.

From Tweets to Polls: Linking Text Sentiment to Public Opinion Time Series

2010-05-16

Brendan T. O’Connor , Ramnath Balasubramanyan , Bryan Routledge +1 more

We connect measures of public opinion measured from polls with sentiment measured from text. We analyze several surveys on consumer conﬁdence and political opinion over the 2008 to 2009 period, … We connect measures of public opinion measured from polls with sentiment measured from text. We analyze several surveys on consumer conﬁdence and political opinion over the 2008 to 2009 period, and ﬁnd they correlate to sentiment word frequencies in contempora- neous Twitter messages. While our results vary across datasets, in several cases the correlations are as high as 80%, and capture important large-scale trends. The re- sults highlight the potential of text streams as a substi- tute and supplement for traditional polling. consumer conﬁdence and political opinion, and can also pre- dict future movements in the polls. We ﬁnd that temporal smoothing is a critically important issue to support a suc- cessful model.

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Processes of Opinion Change

1961-01-01

Herbert C. Kelman

A persistent concern in the analysis of public opinion data is the that one can ascribe to the observed distributions and trends—and to the positions taken by particular individuals and … A persistent concern in the analysis of public opinion data is the that one can ascribe to the observed distributions and trends—and to the positions taken by particular individuals and segments of the population. In a certain sense, the need for more detailed information about opinions be met by improvements and refinements in the methodology of opinion assessment. But, no matter how refined the techniques, they do not provide direct information about the meaning of the opinions and do not permit automatic predictions to subsequent behavior: the investigator still has to make inferences from the data. Social influence has been a central area of concern for experimental social psychology almost since its beginnings. It can also be observed, for example, in the context of socialization of children, where the taking over of parental attitudes and actions is a normal, and probably essential, part of personality development.

Collaboration and Creativity: The Small World Problem

2005-09-01

Brian Uzzi , Jarrett Spiro

Small world networks have received disproportionate notice in diverse fields because of their suspected effect on system dynamics. The authors analyzed the small world network of the creative artists who … Small world networks have received disproportionate notice in diverse fields because of their suspected effect on system dynamics. The authors analyzed the small world network of the creative artists who made Broadway musicals from 1945 to 1989. Using original arguments, new statistical methods, and tests of construct validity, they found that the varying “small world” properties of the systemic‐level network of these artists affected their creativity in terms of the financial and artistic performance of the musicals they produced. The small world network effect was parabolic; performance increased up to a threshold, after which point the positive effects reversed.

Experimental Study of Inequality and Unpredictability in an Artificial Cultural Market

2006-02-09

Matthew Salganik , Peter Sheridan Dodds , Duncan J. Watts

Hit songs, books, and movies are many times more successful than average, suggesting that "the best" alternatives are qualitatively different from "the rest"; yet experts routinely fail to predict which … Hit songs, books, and movies are many times more successful than average, suggesting that "the best" alternatives are qualitatively different from "the rest"; yet experts routinely fail to predict which products will succeed. We investigated this paradox experimentally, by creating an artificial "music market" in which 14,341 participants downloaded previously unknown songs either with or without knowledge of previous participants' choices. Increasing the strength of social influence increased both inequality and unpredictability of success. Success was also only partly determined by quality: The best songs rarely did poorly, and the worst rarely did well, but any other result was possible.

The Structure and Dynamics of Networks

2011-12-31

Mark Newman , Albert‐László Barabási , Duncan J. Watts

From the Internet to networks of friendship, disease transmission, and even terrorism, the concept--and the reality--of networks has come to pervade modern society. But what exactly is a network? What … From the Internet to networks of friendship, disease transmission, and even terrorism, the concept--and the reality--of networks has come to pervade modern society. But what exactly is a network? What different types of networks are there? Why are they interesting, and what can they tell us? In recent years, scientists from a range of fields--including mathematics, physics, computer science, sociology, and biology--have been pursuing these questions and building a new "science of networks." This book brings together for the first time a set of seminal articles representing research from across these disciplines. It is an ideal sourcebook for the key research in this fast-growing field. The book is organized into four sections, each preceded by an editors' introduction summarizing its contents and general theme. The first section sets the stage by discussing some of the historical antecedents of contemporary research in the area. From there the book moves to the empirical side of the science of networks before turning to the foundational modeling ideas that have been the focus of much subsequent activity. The book closes by taking the reader to the cutting edge of network science--the relationship between network structure and system dynamics. From network robustness to the spread of disease, this section offers a potpourri of topics on this rapidly expanding frontier of the new science.

Influentials, Networks, and Public Opinion Formation

2007-12-01

Duncan J. Watts , Peter Sheridan Dodds

A central idea in marketing and diffusion research is that influentials—a minority of individuals who influence an exceptional number of their peers—are important to the formation of public opinion. Here … A central idea in marketing and diffusion research is that influentials—a minority of individuals who influence an exceptional number of their peers—are important to the formation of public opinion. Here we examine this idea, which we call the “influentials hypothesis,” using a series of computer simulations of interpersonal influence processes. Under most conditions that we consider, we find that large cascades of influence are driven not by influentials but by a critical mass of easily influenced individuals. Although our results do not exclude the possibility that influentials can be important, they suggest that the influentials hypothesis requires more careful specification and testing than it has received.

The Dissemination of Culture

1997-04-01

Robert Axelrod

Despite tendencies toward convergence, differences between individuals and groups continue to exist in beliefs, attitudes, and behavior. An agent-based adaptive model reveals the effects of a mechanism of convergent social … Despite tendencies toward convergence, differences between individuals and groups continue to exist in beliefs, attitudes, and behavior. An agent-based adaptive model reveals the effects of a mechanism of convergent social influence. The actors are placed at fixed sites. The basic premise is that the more similar an actor is to a neighbor, the more likely that that actor will adopt one of the neighbor's traits. Unlike previous models of social influence or cultural change that treat features one at a time, the proposed model takes into account the interaction between different features. The model illustrates how local convergence can generate global polarization. Simulations show that the number of stable homogeneous regions decreases with the number of features, increases with the number of alternative traits per feature, decreases with the range of interaction, and (most surprisingly) decreases when the geographic territory grows beyond a certain size.

A Theory of Social Comparison Processes

1954-05-01

Léon Festinger

Hypothesis I: There exists, in the human organism, a drive to evaluate his opinions and his abilities. While opinions and abilities may, at first glance, seem to be quite different … Hypothesis I: There exists, in the human organism, a drive to evaluate his opinions and his abilities. While opinions and abilities may, at first glance, seem to be quite different things, there is a close functional tie between them. They act together in the manner in which they affect behavior. A person’s cognition (his opinions and beliefs) about the situation in which he exists and his appraisals of what he is capable of doing (his evaluation of his abilities) will together have bearing on his behavior. The holding of incorrect opinions and/or inaccurate appraisals of one’s abilities can be punishing or even fatal in many situations. It is necessary, before we proceed, to clarify the distinction between opinions and evaluations of abilities since at first glance it may seem that one’s evaluation of one’s own ability is an opinion about it. Abilities are of course manifested only through performance which is assumed to depend upon the particular ability. The clarity of the manifestation or performance can vary from instances where there is no clear ordering criterion of the ability to instances where the performance which reflects the ability can be clearly ordered. In the former case, the evaluation of the ability does function like other opinions which are not directly testable in “objective reality’. For example, a person’s evaluation of his ability to write poetry will depend to a large extent on the opinions which others have of his ability to write poetry. In cases where the criterion is unambiguous and can be clearly ordered, this furnishes an objective reality for the evaluation of one’s ability so that it depends less on the opinions of other persons and depends more on actual comparison of one’s performance with the performance of others. Thus, if a person evaluates his running ability, he will do so by comparing his time to run some distance with the times that other persons have taken. In the following pages, when we talk about evaluating an ability, we shall mean specifically the evaluation of that ability in situations where the performance is unambiguous and is known. Most situations in real life will, of course, present situations which are a mixture of opinion and ability evaluation. In a previous article (7) the author posited the existence of a drive to determine whether or not one’s opinions were “correct”. We are here stating that this same drive also produces behavior in people oriented toward obtaining an accurate appraisal of their abilities. The behavioral implication of the existence of such a drive is that we would expect to observe behaviour on the part of persons which enables them to ascertain whether or not their opinions are correct and also behavior which enables them accurately to evaluate their abilities. It is consequently

Shared Mental Models: Ideologies and Institutions

1994-02-01

Arthur T. Denzau , Douglass C. North

The Limited Capacity Model of Mediated Message Processing

2000-03-01

Annie Lang

This paper presents an information-processing model that is directly applicable to the investigation of how mediated messages are processed. It applies the model to the case of television viewing to … This paper presents an information-processing model that is directly applicable to the investigation of how mediated messages are processed. It applies the model to the case of television viewing to demonstrate its applicability. It provides a measure for each part of the model. It presents evidence that supports the model in the television-viewing situation. Finally, it demonstrates how the model may be used to further research and understanding in well-known theoretical traditions. This model is not meant to stand in opposition to any of these theories but, rather, should work well with them by providing hypothesized mechanisms that may underlie well-known effects. This model should prove useful both to researchers and, eventually, to message producers. To the extent that we can better understand how the content and structure of messages interact with a viewer's information-processing system to determine which parts and how much of a communication message is remembered, we will make great strides in understanding how people communicate.

The social psychology of telecommunications

1977-03-01

Genevieve Gray

The Elaboration Likelihood Model of Persuasion

1986-01-01

Richard E. Petty , John T. Cacioppo

Tutorial on agent-based modelling and simulation

2010-09-01

Charles M. Macal , Michael North

Agent-based modelling and simulation (ABMS) is a relatively new approach to modelling systems composed of autonomous, interacting agents. Agent-based modelling is a way to model the dynamics of complex systems … Agent-based modelling and simulation (ABMS) is a relatively new approach to modelling systems composed of autonomous, interacting agents. Agent-based modelling is a way to model the dynamics of complex systems and complex adaptive systems. Such systems often self-organize themselves and create emergent order. Agent-based models also include models of behaviour (human or otherwise) and are used to observe the collective effects of agent behaviours and interactions. The development of agent modelling tools, the availability of micro-data, and advances in computation have made possible a growing number of agent-based applications across a variety of domains and disciplines. This article provides a brief introduction to ABMS, illustrates the main concepts and foundations, discusses some recent applications across a variety of disciplines, and identifies methods and toolkits for developing agent models.

An Information Flow Model for Conflict and Fission in Small Groups

1977-12-01

Wayne Zachary

The paper is devoted to game-theoretic methods for community detection in networks. The traditional methods for detecting community structure are based on selecting denser subgraphs inside the network. Here we … The paper is devoted to game-theoretic methods for community detection in networks. The traditional methods for detecting community structure are based on selecting denser subgraphs inside the network. Here we propose to use the methods of cooperative game theory that highlight not only the link density but also the mechanisms of cluster formation. Specifically, we suggest two approaches from cooperative game theory: the first approach is based on the Myerson value, whereas the second approach is based on hedonic games. Both approaches allow to detect clusters with various resolution. However, the tuning of the resolution parameter in the hedonic games approach is particularly intuitive. Furthermore, the modularity based approach and its generalizations can be viewed as particular cases of the hedonic games.

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Growing artificial societies: Social science from the bottom up

1997-03-01

Trust as a Social Reality

1985-06-01

J. David Lewis , Andrew J. Weigert

The Matthew Effect in Science

1968-01-05

Robert Κ. Merton

Particle Swarm Optimization

2010-12-29

James L. Kennedy

On Lyapunov conditions for the well-posedness of McKean–Vlasov stochastic differential delay equations

2025-06-25

Dan Noelck | Stochastics

Thermodynamics and Analogies in Social Life

2025-06-25

В. И. Ракин | Science management theory and practice

On the basis of the analogy between thermodynamics, describing a non-equilibrium thermodynamic system, and the system of state governance, the characteristics of two extreme models of state structure – conservative … On the basis of the analogy between thermodynamics, describing a non-equilibrium thermodynamic system, and the system of state governance, the characteristics of two extreme models of state structure – conservative and liberal – are discussed. The first model by its macroscopic properties approaches a closed non-equilibrium thermodynamic system, in which in the linear case, according to Onsager’s theory, the role of the governing principle is played by the maximum of entropy production (Ziegler’s principle). And the second one is an analogue of an open thermodynamic system, in which at large deviations from equilibrium inevitable nonlinearities in the interrelations of elements can initiate the emergence of a self-organizing dissipative structure. But in the linear case, the limiting principle characterizing its development to a stationary state is the minimum of entropy production (Prigozhin’s principle). The proposed models are far from the well-known theories of social entropy, which are aimed at describing the characteristics of social groups. The limited resources of the planet and the steady technological development of civilization suggest by analogy that, despite a number of advantages of the liberal mode of governing society, the future remains for the conservative mode of governance.

Sociophysical Methods in Science and Technology Studies

2025-06-25

S. V. Egerev | Science management theory and practice

Sociophysics is considered a promising interdisciplinary field applying physical methods to analyze social systems, particularly in the context of science and technology research. This text traces the historical development of … Sociophysics is considered a promising interdisciplinary field applying physical methods to analyze social systems, particularly in the context of science and technology research. This text traces the historical development of sociophysics, from the ideas of D.Hume to contemporary approaches based on big data analysis. The author discusses key sociophysical models and methods, including cellular automata, the Ising model, agent-based models and self-organization models, as well as their application in the study of scientific collaborations, patent activity and other aspects of the development of science and technology. The importance of participatory projects (‘citizen science’) and the necessity of integrating sociophysical methods with traditional social science approaches are emphasized, in order to avoid reductionism and gain a more comprehensive understanding of intricate social phenomena.

Replicator dynamics as the large population limit of a discrete Moran process in the weak selection regime: A proof via Eulerian specification

2025-06-24

Marco Morandotti , Gianluca Orlando | ESAIM Control Optimisation and Calculus of Variations

We study the large population limit of a multi-strategy discrete-time Moran process in the weak selection regime. We show that the replicator dynamics is interpreted as the large-population limit of … We study the large population limit of a multi-strategy discrete-time Moran process in the weak selection regime. We show that the replicator dynamics is interpreted as the large-population limit of the Moran process. This result is obtained by interpreting the discrete process in its Eulerian specification, proving a compactness result in the Wasserstein space of probability measures for the law of the proportions of strategies, and passing to the limit in the continuity equation that describes the evolution of the proportions.

Numerical Simulation of Cultural Value Conflict in Multicultural Societies

2025-06-24

Suresh Kumar Sahani , Manoj Sah , Shubham Agarwal +2 more | Journal of Posthumanism

This research investigates the mathematical modelling and numerical simulation of cultural value conflicts in multicultural communities by incorporating sociocultural dynamics into systems of nonlinear differential equations. Cultural conflicts, especially those … This research investigates the mathematical modelling and numerical simulation of cultural value conflicts in multicultural communities by incorporating sociocultural dynamics into systems of nonlinear differential equations. Cultural conflicts, especially those arising from differing values, norms, and traditions, are intricate and dynamic occurrences, frequently intensified by heightened migration, globalization, and technological interconnectivity. This research presents a quantitative technique using system dynamics and agent-based modelling to simulate the temporal evolution of cultural conflicts, contrasting with prior qualitative sociological interpretations. This article quantitatively simulates cultural divergence and convergence by using known models in social physics and expanding upon Axelrod's framework for cultural dissemination across different intercultural contact settings. The research employs authenticated social data from the World Values Survey and census-derived demographic metrics to calibrate and verify the model. Findings indicate that the stability of value is highly contingent upon the intensity and tolerance of intercultural interactions. This research enhances policy planning by providing mathematical methods for predicting cultural polarization or integration in intricate societies.

Mean-field and Fluctuations for Hub Dynamics in Heterogeneous Random Networks

2025-06-23

Zheng Bian , Jeroen S. W. Lamb , Tiago Pereira | Communications in Mathematical Physics

Cross-Model Sentiment Analysis of Tweets on the Russia-Ukraine War: A Comparative Study of Lexicon-Based and Transformer Models

2025-06-23

Aditya Arora , Anand Zutshi | International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)

Generic Networks of Votes

2025-06-21

Ewa Zawiślak-Sprysak , Paweł Zawiślak | Badania Operacyjne i Decyzje/Operations Research and Decisions

In this paper we propose the method for analysing the voting results of given kind of competition. Suppose that a competition is given, with the Borda Count used as a … In this paper we propose the method for analysing the voting results of given kind of competition. Suppose that a competition is given, with the Borda Count used as a voting method. For every such competition there is a weighted network associated in a natural way. The nodes set corresponds to jurors and link weigths correspond to correlation coefficients of voting results of adequate jurors. All main correlation coefficients do not distinguish between changes in high places in the competition and changes in low places. We propose a new distance on rankings that allows to observe such distinction. We analyse the results of 2016 International Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competition by comparing the properties of its voting network to the statistical properties of generic networks of votes.. These generic networks are randomly choosen according to precisely given probability measure on the space of all possible votings of a single juror.

The Dynamics of Education Public Opinion Governance: An Evolutionary Game Theory Approach

2025-06-20

Jie Sun , HE Yiliu , TANG Mincong +1 more | ECONOMIC COMPUTATION AND ECONOMIC CYBERNETICS STUDIES AND RESEARCH

Public Influence and Reactions in the Maelstrom of Public Opinion in Social Media Event Coverage

2025-06-20

Yilin Liu | Communications in Humanities Research

This study investigates the positive and negative impacts of social media, as well as the publics behavior and psychological responses within the dynamics of public opinion. In contemporary society, the … This study investigates the positive and negative impacts of social media, as well as the publics behavior and psychological responses within the dynamics of public opinion. In contemporary society, the information dissemination has shifted from a simple traditional mode to an instantaneous, interactive, and multi-directional framework, eliminating barriers to information flow, garnering nationwide attention on major events, and subtly reshaping the public opinion landscape. However, the subsequent deterioration of the public opinion environment and its unpredictable direction have made it difficult to control, thus exerting a significant impact on individuals and social order. This paper examines the dissemination mechanisms of public opinion on social media and the concept of hotspot events. Utilizing content analysis, it investigates the dissemination process of specific event reports on social media platforms and explores the dynamics of public opinion. Thus, it seeks to analyze the evolution of emotional transmission in hotspot events, understand public behavioral patterns and emotional responses within the public opinion vortex, and clarify strategies for guiding public opinion and managing crises in social media events. Consequently, targeted solutions are proposed for improving public opinion guidance.

A Keen and Analytical Mindset [Pathways]

2025-06-19

Nehad El-Sherif | IEEE Industry Applications Magazine

Asymmetry of 2-step transit probabilities in 2-coloured regular graphs

2025-06-19

Ron Gray , J. Robert Johnson | Discrete Mathematics

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Generative Agent-Based Modeling with Large Language Models for insider threat detection

2025-06-19

Antonino Ferraro , Gian Marco Orlando , Diego Russo | Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence

Collaborative governance of cyber violence: A two-phase, multi-scenario four-party evolutionary game and SB<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" altimg="si2.svg" display="inline" id="d1e526"><mml:msub><mml:mrow><mml:mi mathvariant="normal">I</mml:mi></mml:mrow><mml:mrow><mml:mn>1</mml:mn></mml:mrow></mml:msub></mml:math> <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" altimg="si3.svg" display="inline" id="d1e536"><mml:msub><mml:mrow><mml:mi mathvariant="normal">I</…

2025-06-18

Xiaoting Yang , Wei Lv , Ting Yang +1 more | Information Processing & Management

Emergence of social hierarchies in a society with two competitive groups

2025-06-18

Marc Sadurní , Josep Maria Mata Perelló , Miquel Montero | Chaos Solitons & Fractals

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Bad polarization in structurally cohesive communities

2025-06-18

Matteo Michelini , Eugenia Polizzi di Sorrentino , Daniele Vilone | Synthese

Behavior of Ising spins and ecological oscillators on dynamically rewired small-world networks

2025-06-18

Davi Arrais Nobre , Karen C. Abbott , Jonathan Machta +1 more | Physical review. E

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Attempts at a Scientific Approach to Cybernetics: Political Cybernetics

2025-06-18

Marine Rezoevna Demetradze | Общество политика экономика право

The work is devoted to the analysis of the main theoretical developments in the field of natural sciences and political cybernetics. The aim of the work is to identify criteria … The work is devoted to the analysis of the main theoretical developments in the field of natural sciences and political cybernetics. The aim of the work is to identify criteria for ensuring the information phenomenon of the laws of nature. It is shown that modern political cybernetics, representing the analogy of the laws of nature, is aimed at eliminating bureaucratic formalism and incompetence. Political cybernetics, as a continuation of sys-tems theory, is certainly the leading branch of modern politics and public administration, but despite this, ten-sions between states at the global level still persist. In this regard, the paper proposes a new approach to the creation of modern political cybernetics based on the socio-cultural aspects of the communicative channels of the laws of nature. Socio-cultural aspects are necessary to reveal the fundamental importance of the category of naturalness of human rights and freedoms, declared by enlightenment thinkers back in the Enlightenment era. This thesis is confirmed based on the analysis of natural sciences. The work is of interest to political scien-tists, managers, sociologists, government officials, lawyers, students and anyone interested in this field and issues.

Ground state solutions of the Schrödinger-Poisson-Slater equation with double critical exponents

2025-06-17

Chun‐Yu Lei , Yutian Lei | Publicacions Matemàtiques

Accounting for cultural spread with an economic SIR model

2025-06-17

Laurent Gauthier | Quality & Quantity

Voter model can accurately predict individual opinions in online populations

2025-06-17

Antoine Vendeville | Physical review. E

Disease transmission in dynamic social networks constructed by reinforcement learning-driven preventive game

2025-06-17

Y. H. Qian , Dawei Zhao , Chengyi Xia | Chaos Solitons & Fractals

Game Theory in the Digital Age

2025-06-17

Yvan J. Kelly | Auerbach Publications eBooks

Kinetic Theory and Markov Chains with Stochastically Varying Transition Matrices

2025-06-17

Bruno Carbonaro , Marco Menale | Mathematics

As is well-known, the Kinetic Theory for Active Particles is a scheme of mathematical models based on a generalization of the Boltzmann equation. It must be nowadays acknowledged as one … As is well-known, the Kinetic Theory for Active Particles is a scheme of mathematical models based on a generalization of the Boltzmann equation. It must be nowadays acknowledged as one of the most versatile and effective tools to describe in mathematical terms the behavior of any system consisting of a large number of mutually interacting objects, no matter whether they also interact with the external world. In both cases, the description is stochastic, i.e., it aims to provide at each instant the probability distribution (or density) function on the set of possible states of the particles of the system. In other words, it describes the evolution of the system as a stochastic process. In a previous paper, we pointed out that such a process can be described in turn in terms of a special kind of vector time-continuous Markov Chain. These stochastic processes share important properties with many natural processes. The present paper aims to develop the discussion presented in that paper, in particular by considering and analyzing the case in which the transition matrices of the chain are neither constant (stationary Markov Chains) nor assigned functions of time (nonstationary Markov Chains). It is shown that this case expresses interactions of the system with the external world, with particular reference to random external events.

Dynamical evolution of social network polarization and its impact on the propagation of a virus

2025-06-16

Ixandra Achitouv , David Chavalarias | Chaos Solitons & Fractals

Magnetization-resolved density of states and quasi-first order transition in the two-dimensional random bond Ising model: an entropic sampling study

2025-06-15

Yi Liu , Ding Wang , Xin Wang +2 more | Communications in Theoretical Physics

Abstract Systems with quenched disorder possess complex energy landscapes that are challenging to explore under conventional Monte Carlo method. In this work, we implement an efficient entropy sampling scheme for … Abstract Systems with quenched disorder possess complex energy landscapes that are challenging to explore under conventional Monte Carlo method. In this work, we implement an efficient entropy sampling scheme for accurate computation of the entropy function in low-energy regions. The method is applied to the two-dimensional ± J random-bond Ising model, where frustration is controlled by the fraction p of ferromagnetic bonds. We investigate the low-temperature paramagnetic--ferromagnetic phase boundary below the multicritical point at T N = 0.9530(4), p N = 0.89078(8), as well as the zero-temperature ferromagnetic—spin-glass transition. Finite-size scaling analysis reveals that the phase boundary for T < T N exhibits reentrant behavior. By analyzing the evolution of the magnetization-resolved density of states g ( E , M ) and ground-state spin configurations against increasing frustration, we provide strong evidence that the zero-temperature transition is quasi–first order. Finite-size scaling conducted on the spin-glass side supports the validity of β = 0, where β is the magnetization exponent, with a correlation length exponent ν = 1.50(8). Our results provide new insights into the nature of the ferromagnetic-to-spin-glass phase transition in an extensively degenerate ground state.

Group Typology Shapes Social Network Representations

2025-06-14

Yi Zhang , Danfeng Ai , Jue Wang +4 more | Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin

Efficiently representing social networks is challenging, but cognitive schemas can help address this challenge. This study examined whether network schemas related to group typology influence social network representations. In Experiment … Efficiently representing social networks is challenging, but cognitive schemas can help address this challenge. This study examined whether network schemas related to group typology influence social network representations. In Experiment 1, participants, who were given only group-type information and the number of relationships without network structure, freely constructed friendship networks, forming more interconnected and centralized structures for task groups than social categories. Experiment 2 provided identical partial friendship network data across group types, yet group-type labels biased participants’ inferences about potential future friendships, producing network structures similar to those in Experiment 1. In Experiment 3, participants who memorized friendships from social networks—either from a task group or social category—showed greater accuracy when the memorized network structure aligned with the group type that activated corresponding schemas. These results suggest that individuals utilize group-related schemas to represent social networks, with task groups having closer and more centralized connections than social categories do.

Herding behaviour in cryptocurrencies: the case of the Russian–Ukrainian war

2025-06-13

Benjamin Miranda Tabak , Matheus Britto Froner , Gabriel C. Tabak +1 more | Applied Economics

Modeling information diffusion in multilayer social networks with strong-weak ties

2025-06-13

Yixuan Hu , Haibo Hu , Xiao Han | International Journal of Modern Physics C

Dual Impact of Information Complexity and Individual Characteristics on Information and Disease Propagation

2025-06-12

Yaqiong Wang , Jinyi Sun , Zhanxin Ma | Mathematics

With frequent interactions between social media platforms, the dissemination of information and the interaction of opinions on the internet have become increasingly complex and diverse. This increase in information complexity … With frequent interactions between social media platforms, the dissemination of information and the interaction of opinions on the internet have become increasingly complex and diverse. This increase in information complexity not only affects the formation of public opinion but may also exacerbate the spread of diseases. Based on multilayer complex networks and combined with the Deffuant-I model, this paper explores the dual impact of information complexity and individual characteristics on both information and disease propagation. Through systematic simulation experiments, this paper analyzes the mechanisms of information complexity, individual compromise, and cognitive ability in the evolution of propagation. This study shows that the interactive effects of individual characteristics and information complexity have a significant impact on disease spread. This research not only provides a new theoretical perspective for understanding complex information dissemination but also offers valuable insights for public policymakers in promoting social harmony and addressing public health emergencies.

Biswas-Chatterjee-Sen kinetic exchange opinion model for two connected groups

2025-06-12

NULL AUTHOR_ID | Physical review. E

Co-evolution of information, behavior and epidemic transmission under multiple local influences in multiplex networks

2025-06-12

Bingjie Wu , Liang’an Huo , Laijun Zhao | Nonlinear Dynamics

Mobilization Mechanism and Group Identity Construction of Emotional Communication in Online Communities: An Empirical Analysis using Depression as an Example

2025-06-10

Yixuan Sun | Deleted Journal

Objective: This study takes depression as an example to explore the mobilization mechanism of emotional communication in online communities and the intrinsic relationship and pathway of group identity. Method: By … Objective: This study takes depression as an example to explore the mobilization mechanism of emotional communication in online communities and the intrinsic relationship and pathway of group identity. Method: By constructing a theoretical model of "emotional communication mobilization mechanism group identity" and using an empirical method combining content analysis and questionnaire survey, 2000 community interaction texts and 350 valid sample data were analyzed. Result: ① The resonance and narrative characteristics of emotional communication significantly positively affect the emotional and symbolic mobilization pathways in the mobilization mechanism; ② Emotional communication plays a partial mediating role between mobilization mechanisms and group identity, with a mediating effect accounting for 42.7% The openness and centrality of community structure have a positive moderating effect on the mobilization efficiency of emotional communication, with a moderating effect value of 0.31 (p<0.01). Conclusion: Optimizing narrative strategies for emotional communication, strengthening community information exchange density, and integrating professional social support resources can enhance the effectiveness of community emotional mobilization and the stability of group identity.