Continuous Opinions and Discrete Actions in Opinion Dynamics Problems

TL;DR

This paper introduces a model where agents have continuous opinions influencing their discrete actions, applying it to voter and Sznajd models, revealing the natural emergence of extremists as a key characteristic.

Contribution

It presents a novel opinion dynamics model with continuous opinions and discrete actions, extending existing models and analyzing the emergence of extremists.

Findings

Extremists naturally emerge in the model.

The model applies to voter and Sznajd interaction frameworks.

Extremists are a characteristic outcome of the model.

Abstract

A model where agents show discrete behavior regarding their actions, but have continuous opinions that are updated by interacting with other agents is presented. This new updating rule is applied to both the voter and Sznajd models for interaction between neighbors and its consequences are discussed. The appearance of extremists is naturally observed and it seems to be a characteristic of this model.