Co-evolution of Rumor Diffusion and Structural Stability in Signed Social Networks
Year: 2021
Type: preprint
Abstract: Prediction and control of rumor diffusion in social networks (SNs) areclosely tied to the underlying connectivity patterns. Contrary to most existing
efforts that exclusively focus on positive social user interactions, the impact
of contagion processes on the temporal evolution of signed SNs with distinctive
friendly (positive) and hostile (negative) relationships yet, remains largely
unexplored. In this paper, we study the interplay between social link polarity
and propagation of intentionally fabricated information coupled with user
alertness. In particular, we propose a novel energy model built on Heider's
balance theory that relates the stochastic
susceptible-alert-infected-susceptible rumor epidemic model with the structural
balance of signed SNs to substantiate the trade-off between social tension and
rumor spread. Moreover, the role of hostile social links in the formation of
disjoint friendly clusters of alerted and infected users is analyzed. Using
three real-world datasets, we further present a time-efficient algorithm to
expedite the energy computation in our Monte-Carlo simulation method and show
compelling insights on the effectiveness and rationality of user awareness and
initial network settings in reaching structurally balanced local and global
network energy states.
Source: arXiv (Cornell University)
Language: English
Subfield: Statistical and Nonlinear Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3186442444