Year: 2014
Type: article
Abstract: We present a model that explores the influence of persuasion in a population of agents with positive and negative opinion orientations. The opinion of each agent is represented by an integer number k that expresses its level of agreement on a given issue, from totally against to totally in favor k = M . Same-orientation agents persuade each other with probability p , becoming more extreme, while opposite-orientation agents become more moderate as they reach a compromise with probability q . The population initially evolves to (a) a polarized state for , where opinions' distribution is peaked at the extreme values , or (b) a centralized state for r < 1, with most opinions around . When , polarization lasts for a time that diverges as , where N is the population's size. Finally, an extremist consensus ( k = M or ) is reached in a time that scales as for .
Source: Europhysics Letters (EPL)
Authors: C. E. La Rocca, L. A. Braunstein, F. Vazquez
Language: English
Subfield: Statistical and Nonlinear Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2120595853