Three-State Opinion Model on Complex Topologies

We investigate opinion diffusion on complex networks and the interplay between the existence of neutral opinion states and non-trivial network structures. For this purpose, we apply a three-state opinion model based on magnetic-like interactions to modular complex networks, both synthetic and real networks extracted from Twitter. The model allows for tuning the contribution of neutral agents using a neutrality parameter. We also consider social agitation, encoded as a temperature, that accounts for random opinion changes that are beyond the agent neighborhood opinion state. Using this model, we study which topological features influence the formation of consensus, bipartidism, or fragmentation of opinions in three parties, and how the neutrality parameter and the temperature interplay with the network structure.     

Voter model on adaptive networks

Voter model is an important basic model in statistical physics. In recent years, it has been more and more used to describe the process of opinion formation in sociophysics. In real complex systems, the interactive network of individuals is dynamically adjusted, and the evolving network topology and individual behaviors affect each other. Therefore, we propose a linking dynamics to describe the coevolution of network topology and individual behaviors in this paper, and study the voter model on the adaptive network. We theoretically analyze the properties of the voter model, including consensus probability and time. The evolution of opinions on dynamic networks is further analyzed from the perspective of evolutionary game. Finally, a case study of real data is shown to verify the effectiveness of the theory.     

The effects of nonlinear interactions and network structure in small group opinion dynamics

We present a model of opinion dynamics in social networks in which an individual's opinion evolves under the action of (i) a linear force which tends to restore the opinion back towards the individual's natural bias that is his or her initial opinion and (ii) a nonlinear coupling with other individuals which acts to bring opinions closer together but wanes for high opinion discrepancies. Bifurcation analysis for the case of a two-person group shows that a critical value for the difference in natural biases exists which demarcates regimes of qualitatively different behavior. For low to moderate natural bias differences, the dynamics are qualitatively similar to linear theory. For high bias differences, the system takes on a binary nature and is marked by discontinuous transitions between deadlock and consensus as well as hysteresis as the coupling is varied. The coupling required to force consensus grows extremely rapidly with the natural bias difference indicating that trying to achieve group consensus solely via increasing the communications rate becomes fruitless as the biases become extremely divergent. We also show that, for high bias differences, a triad broker network topology can reduce group discord more effectively than a clique, contrary to linear theory.     

The effects of degree correlations on network topologies and robustness

Complex networks have been applied to model numerous interactive nonlinear systems in the real world. Knowledge about network topology is crucial to an understanding of the function, performance and evolution of complex systems. In the last few years, many network metrics and models have been proposed to investigate the network topology, dynamics and evolution. Since these network metrics and models are derived from a wide range of studies, a systematic study is required to investigate the correlations among them. The present paper explores the effect of degree correlation on the other network metrics through studying an ensemble of graphs where the degree sequence (set of degrees) is fixed. We show that to some extent, the characteristic path length, clustering coefficient, modular extent and robustness of networks are directly influenced by the degree correlation.     

Dynamics of bounded confidence opinion in heterogeneous social networks: Concord against partial antagonism

Bounded confidence models of opinion dynamics in social networks have been actively studied in recent years, in particular, opinion formation and extremism propagation along with other aspects of social dynamics. In this work, after an analysis of limitations of the Deffuant-Weisbuch (DW) bounded confidence, relative agreement model, we propose the mixed model that takes into account two psychological types of individuals. Concord agents (C-agents) are friendly people; they interact in a way that their opinions always get closer. Agents of the other psychological type show partial antagonism in their interaction (PA-agents). Opinion dynamics in heterogeneous social groups, consisting of agents of the two types, was studied on different social networks: Erdös-Rényi random graphs, small-world networks and complete graphs. Limit cases of the mixed model, pure C- and PA-societies, were also studied. We found that group opinion formation is, qualitatively, almost independent of the topology of networks used in this work. Opinion fragmentation, polarization and consensus are observed in the mixed model at different proportions of PA- and C-agents, depending on the value of initial opinion tolerance of agents. As for the opinion formation and arising of “dissidents”, the opinion dynamics of the C-agents society was found to be similar to that of the DW model, except for the rate of opinion convergence. Nevertheless, mixed societies showed dynamics and bifurcation patterns notably different to those of the DW model. The influence of biased initial conditions over opinion formation in heterogeneous social groups was also studied versus the initial value of opinion uncertainty, varying the proportion of the PA- to C-agents. Bifurcation diagrams showed an impressive evolution of collective opinion, in particular, radical changes of left to right consensus or vice versa at an opinion uncertainty value equal to 0.7 in the model with the PA/C mixture of population near 50/50.     

Dynamics of opinion formation in hierarchical social networks: Network structure and initial bias

The dynamics of opinion formation based on a majority rule model is studied in a network with the social hierarchical structure as one of its limits. The exit probability is found to change sensitively with the number of nodes in the system, but not with the parameter of homophyly characterizing the network structure. The consensus time is found to be a result of non-trivial interplay between the network structure characterized by the parameter of homophyly and the initial bias in opinion. For unbiased initial opinion, a common consensus is easier to be reached in a random network than a highly structured hierarchical network and it follows the behavior of the length of shortest paths. For biased initial opinion, a common consensus is easier to be reached in a hierarchical network, as the local majority opinion of the groups may take on the biased opinions and hence be the same.     

An evolutionary game theory model of binary opinion formation

A basic characteristic of most opinion models is that people tend to agree or compromise in the opinion interaction, which could be hopefully described by cooperative games in the evolutionary game theory framework. This paper presents game theory methods to model the formation of binary opinions: cooperative games are proposed to model the interaction rules of general people who tend to find an agreement; minority games are proposed to model the behaviors of contrarians; opinion preference is considered by varying the payoff values. The Majority Voter model could be restored from the proposed games. The game theory models show evolutionary results similar to traditional opinion models. Specially, the evolution of opinions with consideration of contrarians is in accordance with the Galam model. Furthermore, influences of evolving rule, network topology and initial distribution of opinions are studied through numerical simulations. Discussions about methods to promote or hinder the consensus state at the best equilibrium point are given.     

Discrete Opinion Dynamics on Online Social Networks

This paper focuses on the dynamics of binary opinions {+1,-1} on online social networks consisting of heterogeneous actors.In our model,actors update their opinions under the interplay of social influence and selfaffirmation,which leads to rich dynamical behaviors on online social networks.We find that the opinion leading to the consensus features an advantage of the initially weighted fraction based on actors' strength over the other,instead of the population.For the role of specific actors,the consensus converges towards the opinion that a small fraction of high-strength actors hold,and individual diversity of self-affirmation slows down the ordering process of consensus.These indicate that high-strength actors play an essential role in opinion formation with strong social influence as well as high persistence.Further investigations show that the initial fraction of high-strength actors to dominate the evolution depends on the heterogeneity of the strength distribution,and less high-strength actors are needed in the case of a smaller exponent of power-law distribution of actors' strength.Our study provides deep insights into the role of social influence and self-affirmation on opinion formation on online social networks.     

基于信息熵的社交网络观点演化模型

随着网络服务的发展,社交网络逐渐成为信息传播的新媒介.因此,研究网络舆情演化具有重要意义和实用价值.为了更好地研究网络舆论,在信息熵的基础上,提出了一个社交网络观点演化模型.此模型存在以下两个特点:一是可以反映个体面对正负两种观点趋向做出抉择时的心理过程;二是可以反映个体形成新观点时主观因素和客观因素的影响.在仿真实验中,讨论了舆论环境对个体观点演化的影响,初始观点和自信度对观点演化的影响,以及意见领袖对群体观点演化的影响.实验结果表明,该模型可以反映真实社交网络中个体的心理学特征,比如个体的观点形成会受到舆论环境的影响,自信的个体不愿意接受他人的观点,当意见领袖存在时群体的观点会受到影响等.     

An opinion formation model with dissipative structure

We propose an opinion formation model which includes both the influence of internal motivation and dissipation. Active agents adopt their neighbors’ opinions according to a simplified set of rules, but they may gradually lose their interests in the discussion and drop out of it. On the other hand, inert agents can become active by initial activation or internal motivation from neighbors, and participate in the discussion. The initial activation is usually due to occurrence of a social event. The internal motivation, opinion update and dissipation procedure take place simultaneously. We apply the voter rule in our model, and carry out analysis and numerical simulations. Results show if nonzero dissipation stays below a threshold value, the system evolves to a balance state where the average concentration of one opinion is equal to that of the other. With dissipation, a number of small-size opinion clusters exist in the end, but the system gains a fast relaxation rate. The final average opinion is closely related to the dissipation intensity and the length of time for initial activation.     

Effects of Aging and Self-organized Criticality in a Pulse-Coupled Integrate-and-Fire Neuron Model Based on Small World Networks

Effects of aging and self-organized criticality in a pulse-coupled integrate-and-fire neuron model based on small world networks have been studied. We give the degree distribution of aging network, average shortest path length, the diameter of our network, and the clustering coefficient, and find that our neuron model displays the power-law behavior, and with the number of added links increasing, the effects of aging become smaller and smaller. This shows that if the brain works at the self-organized criticality state, it can relieve some effects caused by aging.     

Social power and opinion formation in complex networks

In this paper we investigate the effects of social power on the evolution of opinions in model networks as well as in a number of real social networks. A continuous opinion formation model is considered and the analysis is performed through numerical simulation. Social power is given to a proportion of agents selected either randomly or based on their degrees. As artificial network structures, we consider scale-free networks constructed through preferential attachment and Watts–Strogatz networks. Numerical simulations show that scale-free networks with degree-based social power on the hub nodes have an optimal case where the largest number of the nodes reaches a consensus. However, given power to a random selection of nodes could not improve consensus properties. Introducing social power in Watts–Strogatz networks could not significantly change the consensus profile.     

基于无标度网络拓扑结构变化的舆论演化模型

基于BA无标度网络,构建了舆论和网络结构相互影响的自适应舆论演化模型.舆论的演化不仅受制于网络拓扑结构,而且也导致拓扑结构的变化.研究表明,演化达到稳态后,网络结构不再是初始的无标度网络而呈现泊松分布,而且随着时间的推移,系统中的舆论演化表现出很强的趋同效应,原来初始状态的几十个舆论,在长时间的演化后,大部分舆论灭亡,只有少数的舆论存留,且发展壮大.这种趋向与社会上的舆论、意见、信仰的演化大体上是符合的.     

Combined update scheme in the Sznajd model

We analyze the Sznajd opinion formation model, where a pair of neighboring individuals sharing the same opinion on a square lattice convinces its six neighbors to adopt their opinions, when a fraction of the individuals is updated according to the usual random sequential updating rule (asynchronous updating), and the other fraction, the simultaneous updating (synchronous updating). This combined updating scheme provides that the bigger the synchronous frequency becomes, the more difficult the system reaches a consensus. Moreover, in the thermodynamic limit, the system needs only a small fraction of individuals following a different kind of updating rules to present a non-consensus state as a final state.     

一类高聚类系数的加权无标度网络及其同步能力分析

针对真实世界中大规模网络都具有明显聚类效应的特点, 提出一类具有高聚类系数的加权无标度网络演化模型, 该模型同时考虑了优先连接、三角结构、随机连接和社团结构等四种演化机制. 在模型演化规则中, 以概率p增加单个节点, 以概率1–p增加一个社团. 与以往研究的不同在于新边的建立, 以概率φ在旧节点之间进行三角连接, 以概率1–φ进行随机连接. 仿真分析表明, 所提出的网络度、强度和权值分布都是服从幂律分布的形式, 且具有高聚类系数的特性, 聚类系数的提高与社团结构和随机连接机制有直接的关系. 最后通过数值仿真分析了网络演化机制对同步动态特性的影响, 数值仿真结果表明, 网络的平均聚类系数越小, 网络的同步能力越强. 关键词： 无标度网络 加权网络 聚类系数 同步能力     

Outward-inward information flux in an opinion formation model on different topologies

A simple model of opinion formation dynamics in which binary-state agents make up their opinions due to the influence of agents in a local neighborhood is studied using different network topologies. Each agent uses two different strategies, the Sznajd rule with a probability q and the Galam majority rule (without inertia) otherwise; being q a parameter of the system. Initially, the binary-state agents may have opinions (at random) against or in favor about a certain topic. The time evolution of the system is studied using different network topologies, starting from different initial opinion densities. A transition from consensus in one opinion to the other is found at the same percentage of initial distribution no matter which type of network is used or which opinion formation rule is used.     

Order preservation in a generalized version of Krause’s opinion dynamics model

Krause’s model of opinion dynamics has recently been the subject of several studies, partly because it is one of the simplest multi-agent systems involving position-dependent changing topologies. In this model, agents have an opinion represented by a real number and they update it by averaging those agent opinions distant from their opinion by less than a certain interaction radius. Some results obtained on this model rely on the fact that the opinion orders remain unchanged under iteration, a property that is consistent with the intuition in models with simultaneous updating on a fully connected communication topology.Several variations of this model have been proposed. We show that some natural variations are not order preserving and therefore cause potential problems with the theoretical analysis and the consistence with the intuition. We consider a generic version of Krause’s model parameterized by an “influence function” that encapsulates most of the variations proposed in the literature. We then derive a necessary and sufficient condition on this function for the opinion order to be preserved.     

一种改进的基于信息传播率的复杂网络影响力评估算法

评价网络中节点的信息传播影响力对于理解网络结构与网络功能具有重要意义.目前,许多基于最短路径的指标,如接近中心性、介数中心性以及半局部(SP)指标等相继用于评价节点传播影响力.最短路径表示节点间信息传播途径始终选择最优方式,然而实际上网络间的信息传播过程更类似于随机游走,信息的传播途径可以是节点间的任一可达路径,在集聚系数高的网络中,节点的局部高聚簇性有利于信息的有效扩散,若只考虑信息按最优传播方式即最短路径传播,则会低估节点信息传播的能力,从而降低节点影响力的排序精度.综合考虑节点与三步内邻居间的有效可达路径以及信息传播率,提出了一种SP指标的改进算法,即ASP算法.在多个经典的实际网络和人工网络上利用SIR模型对传播过程进行仿真,结果表明ASP指标与度指标、核数指标、接近中心性指标、介数中心性指标以及SP指标相比,可以更精确地对节点传播影响力进行排序.     

社会群体中观点的信任、演化与共识

针对连续观点动力学模型中缺乏对个体信任及其观点的不同权重的考虑,本文通过扩展HegselmannKrause模型,引入个体间的信任度和观点间的相似度,将有限信任假设扩展为有限影响假设,建立带权重的观点更新模型,以研究社会群体中少数的偏执个体和权威个体对观点形成、演化以及共识构建过程的影响.仿真结果表明,这两类个体的初始观点尽量接近观点分布区间中点0.5或者增加偏执个体的影响阈值和权威个体的可信任程度可以使群体形成更少和更大的观点簇.随着偏执个体的影响阈值增加,最大簇的观点位置集中于0.5附近;而增加权威个体的可信任程度,最大簇的观点不断接近权威个体的最终观点.模型结果能够在一定程度上反映和解释现实社会中偏执个体和权威个体现象.     

A self-organizing shortest path finding strategy on complex networks

The shortcomings of traditional methods to find the shortest path are revealed, and a strategy of finding the self-organizing shortest path based on thermal flux diffusion on complex networks is presented. In our method, the shortest paths between the source node and the other nodes are found to be self-organized by comparing node temperatures. The computation complexity of the method scales linearly with the number of edges on underlying networks. The effects of the method on several networks, including a regular network proposed by Ravasz and Barabási which is called the RB network, a real network, a random network proposed by Ravasz and Barabási which is called the ER network and a scale-free network, are also demonstrated. Analytic and simulation results show that the method has a higher accuracy and lower computational complexity than the conventional methods.