Phase Transition in the Social Impact Model of Opinion Formation in Log-Normal Networks

A model for opinion formation in a social group, based on the Theory of Social Impact developed by Latané, is studied by means of numerical simulations. Interactions among the members of the group, as well as with a strong leader competing with the mass media, are considered. The model exhibits first-order transitions between two different states of opinion, which are supported by the leader and the mass media, respectively. The social inertia of the group becomes evident when the opinion of the leader changes periodically. In this case two dynamic states are identified: for long periods of time, the group follows the changes of the leader but, decreasing the period, the opinion of the group remains unchanged. This scenery is suitable for the ocurrence of dynamic phase transitions.

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FERROMAGNETIC FLUID AS A MODEL OF SOCIAL IMPACT

International Journal of Modern Physics C ◽

10.1142/s0129183106009618 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 17 (08) ◽

pp. 1227-1235 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

PIOTR FRONCZAK ◽

AGATA FRONCZAK ◽

JANUSZ A. HOŁYST

Keyword(s):

Phase Transition ◽

Order Phase Transition ◽

Social Impact ◽

Spin Dynamics ◽

Psychological Distance ◽

Ferromagnetic State ◽

Opinion Formation ◽

Points Of View ◽

Ferromagnetic Fluid ◽

Second Order Phase Transition

The paper proposes a new model of spin dynamics which can be treated as a model of sociological coupling between individuals. Our approach takes into account two different human features: Gregariousness and individuality. We will show how they affect a psychological distance between individuals and how the distance changes the opinion formation in a social group. Apart from its sociological aplications the model displays the variety of other interesting phenomena like self-organizing ferromagnetic state or a second order phase transition and can be studied from different points of view, e.g., as a model of ferromagnetic fluid, complex evolving network or multiplicative random process.

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Statistical methods applied to the study of opinion formation models: a brief overview and results of a numerical study of a model based on the social impact theory

Journal of Physics Condensed Matter ◽

10.1088/0953-8984/19/6/065144 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 19 (6) ◽

pp. 065144 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Clelia María Bordogna ◽

Ezequiel V Albano

Keyword(s):

Statistical Methods ◽

Social Impact ◽

Numerical Study ◽

Opinion Formation ◽

Model Based ◽

Impact Theory ◽

The Social

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Simulation study on opinion formation models of heterogeneous agents based on game theory and complex networks

SIMULATION ◽

10.1177/0037549717709349 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 93 (11) ◽

pp. 899-919 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Ying Li ◽

Hongduo Cao ◽

Genfeng Wen

Keyword(s):

Game Theory ◽

Social Networks ◽

Social Impact ◽

Heterogeneous Agents ◽

Opinion Formation ◽

The Public ◽

Choice Making ◽

The Social ◽

Rapid Spread ◽

Law Degree

This study investigates a new opinion formation model of heterogeneous agents, a network stubborn individuals and orators (NSO) model based on game theory and complex social networks. Game theory solves economists’ rational choice-making problems, and complex social networks reflect the social impact on opinion evolution. The NSO model involves both social and individual heterogeneous characteristics. In a society, the more unequal the members, and the closer the social distances, the faster opinions spread. In the real world, the power-law degree distribution and the short paths in social networks can generate the rapid spread of an opinion. This study also investigates opinion control under the NSO model. The results show that opinion guidance is most likely to separate the public into different groups rather than converge to the guide’s opinion.

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Multi-choice opinion dynamics model based on Latané theory

The European Physical Journal B ◽

10.1140/epjb/e2019-90533-0 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 92 (10) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Przemysław Bańcerowski ◽

Krzysztof Malarz

Keyword(s):

Social Impact ◽

Opinion Dynamics ◽

Boltzmann Distribution ◽

Opinion Formation ◽

Disorder Phase Transition ◽

The Social ◽

Model Control ◽

Average Fraction ◽

Average Size

Abstract In this paper Nowak–Szamrej–Latané model is reconsidered. This computerised model of opinion formation bases on Latané theory of social impact. We modify this model to allow for multi (more than two) opinions. With computer simulations we show that in the modified model the signatures of order/disorder phase transition are still observed. The transition may be observed in the average fraction of actors sharing the ith opinion, its variation and also average number of clusters of actors with the same opinion and the average size of the largest cluster of actors sharing the same opinion. Also an influence of model control parameters on simulation results is shortly reviewed. For a homogeneous society with identical actors’ supportiveness and persuasiveness the critical social temperature TC decreases with an increase of the number of available opinions K from TC = 6.1 (K = 2) via 4.7, 4.1 to TC = 3.6 for K = 3, 4, 5, respectively. The social temperature plays a role of a standard Boltzmann distribution parameter containing social impact as the equivalent of energy or one may think about it just as on a noise parameter. Graphical abstract

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