Non-consensus opinion models on complex networks

TL;DR

This paper extends non-consensus opinion models on complex networks by introducing a weight factor and studying coupled networks, revealing how interdependent links influence phase transitions and opinion consensus.

Contribution

It introduces the NCOW model with a weight factor, analyzes the impact of interdependent links on opinion dynamics, and demonstrates transition from second-order to hybrid and abrupt phase transitions.

Findings

Increasing weight W stabilizes minority opinion clusters.

Interdependent links induce a shift from second-order to hybrid and abrupt phase transitions.

Coupled networks can lead to consensus opinions due to interdependent interactions.

Abstract

We focus on non-consensus opinion models in which above a certain threshold two opinions coexist in a stable relationship. We revisit and extend the non-consensus opinion (NCO) model introduced by Shao. We generalize the NCO model by adding a weight factor W to individual's own opinion when determining its future opinion (NCOW model). We find that as W increases the minority opinion holders tend to form stable clusters with a smaller initial minority fraction compared to the NCO model. We also revisit another non-consensus opinion, the inflexible contrarian opinion (ICO) model, which introduces inflexible contrarians to model a competition between two opinions in the steady state. In the ICO model, the inflexible contrarians effectively decrease the size of the largest cluster of the rival opinion. All of the above models have previously been explored in terms of a single network. However opinions propagate not only within single networks but also between networks, we study here the opinion dynamics in coupled networks. We apply the NCO rule on each individual network and the global majority rule on interdependent pairs. We find that the interdependent links effectively force the system from a second order phase transition, which is characteristic of the NCO model on a single network, to a hybrid phase transition, i.e., a mix of second-order and abrupt jump-like transitions that ultimately becomes, as we increase the percentage of interdependent agents, a pure abrupt transition. We conclude that for the NCO model on coupled networks, interactions through interdependent links could push the non-consensus opinion type model to a consensus opinion type model, which mimics the reality that increased mass communication causes people to hold opinions that are increasingly similar.