Paths to Polarization: How Extreme Views, Miscommunication, and Random Chance Drive Opinion Dynamics
Joint Authors
Turner, Matthew A.
Smaldino, Paul E.
Source
Issue
Vol. 2018, Issue 2018 (31 Dec. 2018), pp.1-17, 17 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2018-11-01
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
17
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Understanding the social conditions that tend to increase or decrease polarization is important for many reasons.
We study a network-structured agent-based model of opinion dynamics, extending a model previously introduced by Flache and Macy (2011), who found that polarization appeared to increase with the introduction of long-range ties but decrease with the number of salient opinions, which they called the population’s “cultural complexity.” We find the following.
First, polarization is strongly path dependent and sensitive to stochastic variation.
Second, polarization depends strongly on the initial distribution of opinions in the population.
In the absence of extremists, polarization may be mitigated.
Third, noisy communication can drive a population toward more extreme opinions and even cause acute polarization.
Finally, the apparent reduction in polarization under increased “cultural complexity” arises via a particular property of the polarization measurement, under which a population containing a wider diversity of extreme views is deemed less polarized.
This work has implications for understanding the population dynamics of beliefs, opinions, and polarization as well as broader implications for the analysis of agent-based models of social phenomena.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Turner, Matthew A.& Smaldino, Paul E.. 2018. Paths to Polarization: How Extreme Views, Miscommunication, and Random Chance Drive Opinion Dynamics. Complexity،Vol. 2018, no. 2018, pp.1-17.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1133356
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Turner, Matthew A.& Smaldino, Paul E.. Paths to Polarization: How Extreme Views, Miscommunication, and Random Chance Drive Opinion Dynamics. Complexity No. 2018 (2018), pp.1-17.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1133356
American Medical Association (AMA)
Turner, Matthew A.& Smaldino, Paul E.. Paths to Polarization: How Extreme Views, Miscommunication, and Random Chance Drive Opinion Dynamics. Complexity. 2018. Vol. 2018, no. 2018, pp.1-17.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1133356
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-1133356