Opinion dynamics in social networks under competition: the role of influencing factors in consensus-reaching

Abstract

The rapid development of information technology and social media has provided easy access to the vast data on individual preferences and social interactions. Despite a series of problems, such as privacy disclosure and data sensitivity, it cannot be denied that this access also provides beneficial opportunities and convenience for campaigns involving opinion control (e.g. marketing campaigns and political election). The profitability of opinion and the finiteness of individual attention have already spawned extensive competition for individual preferences on social networks. It is necessary to investigate opinion dynamics over social networks in a competitive environment. To this end, this paper develops a novel social network DeGroot model based on competition game (DGCG) to characterize opinion evolution in a competitive opinion dynamics. Social interactions based on trust relationships are captured in the DGCG model. From the model, we then obtain equilibrium results in a stable state of opinion evolution. We also analyse what role relevant factors play in the final consensus and competitive outcomes, including the resource ratio of both contestants, initial opinions, self-confidence and network structure. Theoretical analyses and numerical simulations show that these factors can significantly sway the consensus and even reverse competition outcomes.

Pengaruh Sumber Informasi dan Interaksi Sosial di Media Sosial terhadap Pembentukan Opini Politik Masyarakat di Indonesia

“…Platformplatform ini memberikan kesempatan bagi individu untuk terlibat dalam diskusi interpersonal dengan warga negara yang tidak sepemikiran, yang dapat menekan dan mendorong partisipasi politik (Park & You, 2021). Selain itu, platform media sosial meningkatkan efek pendidikan individu terhadap probabilitas partisipasi politik (Lang et al, 2022). Platform ini juga berkontribusi pada pembelajaran politik, karena interaksi yang sering dengan warga yang tidak sepaham meningkatkan pengetahuan faktual tentang isu-isu politik (Nugrahanto et al, 2020).…”

Conformity and Mass Media Influence in the Sznajd Model on Regular Lattices

“…Researchers have addressed many important questions using these models in theoretical studies and computer simulations. Some recent developments have been made, for example, on the problem of consensus [11,12], divided communities and polarization [13][14][15][16][17], factors influencing the dynamics of opinion [18,19] (e.g., the so-called social temperature [20]), vanishing opinions [21], or the impact of mass media and advertising on the dynamics of opinion [22][23][24]. Various underlying lattices have been used [25], and behavior resembling phase transition (in a strict sense possible only in the thermodynamic limit) has received a lot of attention [26][27][28][29][30][31][32].…”