Dynamical affinity in opinion dynamics modeling

Phys Rev E Stat Nonlin Soft Matter Phys. 2007 Dec;76(6 Pt 2):066105. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevE.76.066105. Epub 2007 Dec 14.

Abstract

We propose here a model to simulate the process of opinion formation, which accounts for the mutual affinity between interacting agents. Opinion and affinity evolve self-consistently, manifesting a highly nontrivial interplay. A continuous transition is found between single and multiple opinion states. Fractal dimension and signature of critical behavior are also reported. A rich phenomenology is presented and discussed with reference to corresponding psychological implications.