A Mathematical Foundation for Stochastic Opinion Dynamics

Posted: 22 Feb 2018

See all articles by Luis E. Castro

Luis E. Castro

University of Miami, Department of Industrial Engineering, Students

Nazrul I. Shaikh

University of Miami - Department of Industrial Engineering

Date Written: February 11, 2018

Abstract

This paper presents a stochastic opinion dynamics model where (a) the opinion of each agent in a network is modeled as a probability distribution as against a point object, (b) consensus is defined as the stability region of the ensuing set of stochastic difference equations, and (c) compromise solutions can be derived between agents who don’t have a consensus. The model is well suited for tracking opinion dynamics over large online systems such as Twitter and Yelp where opinion need to be extracted from the user-generated text data. Theoretical conditions for the existence of consensus and the impact that stubborn agents have on opinion dynamics are also presented.

Keywords: Opinion dynamics, Opinion formation, Opinion update, Consensus, Stochastic difference equations

JEL Classification: M11, M30

Suggested Citation

Castro, Luis E. and Shaikh, Nazrul I., A Mathematical Foundation for Stochastic Opinion Dynamics (February 11, 2018). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3121990 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3121990

Luis E. Castro

University of Miami, Department of Industrial Engineering, Students ( email )

Coral Gables, FL 33124
United States

Nazrul I. Shaikh (Contact Author)

University of Miami - Department of Industrial Engineering ( email )

Coral Gables, FL 33124
United States

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