Quantum field inspired model of decision making: Asymptotic stabilization of belief state via interaction with surrounding mental environment

TL;DR

This paper models decision making using quantum-like dynamics, showing how interaction with a mental environment can stabilize beliefs asymptotically, with applications to media influence and persuasion.

Contribution

It introduces a quantum-inspired model of decision making based on open quantum systems, providing conditions for belief stabilization through mental environment interactions.

Findings

Belief states stabilize asymptotically under certain environmental conditions

Partial solutions for stabilization constraints in mental environments

Illustrative examples include media influence and consumer persuasion

Abstract

This paper is devoted to justification of quantum-like models of the process of decision making based on the theory of open quantum systems, i.e. decision making is considered as decoherence. This process is modeled as interaction of a decision maker, Alice, with a mental (information) environment ${\cal R}$ surrounding her. Such an interaction generates "dissipation of uncertainty" from Alice's belief-state $\rho(t)$ into ${\cal R}$ and asymptotic stabilization of $\rho(t)$ to a steady belief-state. The latter is treated as the decision state. Mathematically the problem under study is about finding constraints on ${\cal R}$ guaranteeing such stabilization. We found a partial solution of this problem (in the form of sufficient conditions). We present the corresponding decision making analysis for one class of mental environments, the so-called "almost homogeneous environments", with the illustrative examples: a) behavior of electorate interacting with the mass-media "reservoir", b) consumers' persuasion. We also comment on other classes of mental environments.