Group Identity, Social Learning and Opinion Dynamics

TL;DR

This paper models opinion dynamics in two-group social networks, analyzing how group identity, influence, and information sources shape long-term opinions and conflict.

Contribution

It introduces a model combining social learning, group identity, and influence based on Bonacich centrality, exploring effects of group size and homophily.

Findings

Influence depends on Bonacich centrality in signed networks.

Group size and homophily affect opinion polarization.

Unbiased information impacts consensus formation.

Abstract

In this paper, we study opinion dynamics in a balanced social structure consisting of two groups. Agents learn the true state of the world naively learning from their neighbors and from an unbiased source of information. Agents want to agree with others of the same group--in-group identity -- but to disagree with those of the opposite group--out-group conflict. We characterize the long-run opinions, and show that agents' influence depends on their Bonacich centrality in the signed network of opinion exchange. Finally, we study the effect of group size, the weight given to unbiased information and homophily when agents in the same group are homogeneous.