Analysis of Mean-Field Approximation for Deffuant Opinion Dynamics on Networks

DOI10.1137/22M1499765zbMATH Open1516.91048arXiv2210.07167OpenAlexW4366090522MaRDI QIDQ6041384FDOQ6041384

Authors: Kevin Burke, James P. Gleeson, D. O'Kiely 

Publication date: 26 May 2023

Published in: SIAM Journal on Applied Mathematics (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: Mean-field equations have been developed recently to approximate the dynamics of the Deffuant model of opinion formation. These equations can describe both fully-mixed populations and the case where individuals interact only along edges of a network. In each case, interactions only occur between individuals whose opinions differ by less than a given parameter, called the confidence bound. The size of the confidence bound parameter is known to strongly affect both the dynamics and the number and location of opinion clusters. In this work we carry out a mathematical analysis of the mean-field equations to investigate the role of the confidence bound and boundaries on these important observables of the model. We consider the limit in which the confidence bound interval is small, and identify the key mechanisms driving opinion evolution. We show that linear stability analysis can predict the number and location of opinion clusters. Comparison with numerical simulations of the model illustrates that the early-time dynamics and the final cluster locations can be accurately approximated for networks composed of two degree classes, as well as for the case of a fully-mixed population.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/2210.07167

Recommendations

• The bounded confidence model of opinion dynamics
• Asymptotic analysis of continuous opinion dynamics models under bounded confidence
• Scaling limits for continuous opinion dynamics systems
• Cluster formation in opinion dynamics: a qualitative analysis
• Modeling and dynamic analysis of bounded confidence opinion dynamics

zbMATH Keywords

social networksasymptotic analysislinear stabilityopinion dynamicsmean-field approximationcluster formation

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

PDEs in connection with game theory, economics, social and behavioral sciences (35Q91) Social networks; opinion dynamics (91D30) Integro-partial differential equations (35R09)

Cites Work

• Power-law distributions in empirical data
• Emergence of Scaling in Random Networks
• Community structure in social and biological networks
• Collective dynamics of `small-world' networks
• Networks. An introduction.
• CONTINUOUS OPINION DYNAMICS UNDER BOUNDED CONFIDENCE: A SURVEY
• Reaching a Consensus
• Boltzmann and Fokker-Planck equations modelling opinion formation in the presence of strong leaders
• Dynamical systems on networks. A tutorial
• A discrete nonlinear and non-autonomous model of consensus formation
• Bifurcations and patterns in compromise processes
• Noisy continuous-opinion dynamics
• Repeated averaging and bounded confidence. Modeling, analysis and simulation of continuous dynamics
• Exposure to ideologically diverse news and opinion on Facebook
• Applied mathematics

Cited In (8)

• Opinion evolution analysis for short-range and long-range Deffuant-Weisbuch models
• Mean-Field Approximations for Stochastic Population Processes with Heterogeneous Interactions
• Opinion Dynamics in Networks: Convergence, Stability and Lack of Explosion
• Inference of interaction kernels in mean-field models of opinion dynamics
• Mean-field theory of modified voter model for opinions
• Opinion dynamics in communities with major influencers and implicit social influence via mean-field approximation
• Continuous opinion dynamics in complex networks
• Deffuant model of opinion formation in one-dimensional multiplex networks

This page was built for publication: Analysis of Mean-Field Approximation for Deffuant Opinion Dynamics on Networks

Report a bug (only for logged in users!)Click here to report a bug for this page (MaRDI item Q6041384)