Effects of noise and confidence thresholds in nominal and metric Axelrod dynamics of social influence

Abstract

We study the effects of bounded confidence thresholds and of interaction and external noise on Axelrod's model of social influence. Our study is based on a combination of numerical simulations and an integration of the mean-field Master equation describing the system in the thermodynamic limit. We find that interaction thresholds affect the system only quantitatively, but that they do not alter the basic phase structure. The known crossover between an ordered and a disordered state in finite systems subject to external noise persists in models with general confidence threshold. Interaction noise here facilitates the dynamics and reduces relaxation times. We also study Axelrod systems with metric features, and point out similarities and differences compared to models with nominal features. Metric features are used to demonstrate that a small group of extremists can have a significant impact on the opinion dynamics of a population of Axelrod agents.

15 pages, 12 figures

References in corpus (6)

• Glassy dynamics of kinetically constrained models
• Vector Opinion Dynamics in a Bounded Confidence Consensus Model
• Nonequilibrium transition induced by mass media in a model for social influence
• Local versus global interactions in nonequilibrium transitions: A model of social dynamics
• Divergent Time Scale in Axelrod Model Dynamics
• Non-equilibrium dynamics of spin facilitated glass models

Cited by in corpus (20)

• Statistical physics of social dynamics
• Opinion dynamics: models, extensions and external effects
• Localized coherence in two interacting populations of social agents
• Local Convergence and Global Diversity: From Interpersonal to Social Influence
• Reconciling long-term cultural diversity and short-term collective social behavior
• Effects of Mass Media action on the Axelrod Model with Social Influence
• Spontaneous ordering against an external field in nonequilibrium systems
• Noise induced unanimity and disorder in opinion formation
• A model for cross-cultural reciprocal interactions through mass media
• Cluster size entropy in the Axelrod model of social influence: small-world networks and mass media
• Rise of an alternative majority against opinion leaders
• Robustness of cultural communities in an open-ended Axelrod's model
• Against mass media trends: minority growth in cultural globalization
• Vanishing opinions in Latané model of opinion formation
• The consequences of hesitation: Axelrod model with intrinsic noise
• The role of zealots in the spread of linguistic traits
• Polarization inhibits the phase transition of Axelrod's model
• Non-equilibrium phase transition and cultural drift in the continuous-trait Axelrod model
• Resonant synchronization and information retrieve from memorized Kuramoto network
• Leaders and obstacles raise cultural boundaries