Opinion strength influences the spatial dynamics of opinion formation
Authored by Stephen M Krone, Bert O Baumgaertner, Rebecca T Tyson
Date Published: 2016
DOI: 10.1080/0022250x.2016.1205049
Sponsors:
National Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
United States National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Platforms:
NetLogo
Model Documentation:
Other Narrative
Mathematical description
Model Code URLs:
http://modelingcommons.org/browse/one_model/4530#model_tabs_browse_info
Abstract
Opinions are rarely binary; they can be held with different degrees of
conviction, and this expanded attitude spectrum can affect the influence
one opinion has on others. Our goal is to understand how different
aspects of influence lead to recognizable spatio-temporal patterns of
opinions and their strengths. To do this, we introduce a stochastic
spatial agent-based model of opinion dynamics that includes a spectrum
of opinion strengths and various possible rules for how the opinion
strength of one individual affects the influence that this individual
has on others. Through simulations, we find that even a small amount of
amplification of opinion strength through interaction with like-minded
neighbors can tip the scales in favor of polarization and deadlock.
Tags
Culture
conflict
Consensus
systems
Dissemination
Axelrod model
Voter model
Biased assimilation
Attitude polarization
Threshold