Polarized opinion states in static networks driven by limited information horizons

Pérez-Martínez, H. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Bauzá Mingueza, F. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Soriano-Paños, D. ; Gómez-Gardeñes, J. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Floría, L.M. (Universidad de Zaragoza)

Resumen: The widespread emergence of opinion polarization is often attributed to the rise of social media and the internet. These platforms can promote selective exposure, leading to the formation of echo chambers where individuals are only exposed to viewpoints that reinforce their existing beliefs. However, experimental evidence shows that exposure to opposing views through cross-cutting ties is common in both online and offline social contexts, which frequently involve long-standing personal relationships. To account for these facts, we have developed an opinion model that applies to static contact structures. In this model, an agent's influence over their neighbors depends on the similarity of their opinions. Our findings suggest that polarization can indeed emerge in such static structures and, driven by an increased narrow-mindedness, even in presence of non-negligible cross-cutting ties. Interestingly, the polarized opinion distributions generated by our model closely resemble those obtained in surveys about highly polarized issues. This has allowed us to categorize various issues based on their controversial nature, shedding light on the factors that contribute to opinion polarization.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1016/j.chaos.2023.113917

Año: 2023

Publicado en: Chaos, Solitons and Fractals 175, Part 1 (2023), 113917 [9 pp]
ISSN: 0960-0779

Factor impacto JCR: 5.3 (2023)

Categ. JCR: PHYSICS, MATHEMATICAL rank: 2 / 60 = 0.033 (2023) - Q1 - T1
Categ. JCR: MATHEMATICS, INTERDISCIPLINARY APPLICATIONS rank: 7 / 135 = 0.052 (2023) - Q1 - T1
Categ. JCR: PHYSICS, MULTIDISCIPLINARY rank: 18 / 112 = 0.161 (2023) - Q1 - T1

Factor impacto CITESCORE: 13.2 - Physics and Astronomy (all) (Q1) - Mathematical Physics (Q1) - Statistical and Nonlinear Physics (Q1) - Applied Mathematics (Q1)

Factor impacto SCIMAGO: 1.349 - Applied Mathematics (Q1) - Mathematical Physics (Q1) - Statistical and Nonlinear Physics (Q1) - Physics and Astronomy (miscellaneous) (Q1) - Mathematics (miscellaneous) (Q1)

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/E30-20R
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MICINN/PGC2018-094684-B-C22
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MICINN/PID2020-113582GB-I00

Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)

Área (Departamento): Área Física Teórica (Dpto. Física Teórica)
Área (Departamento): Área Física Materia Condensada (Dpto. Física Materia Condensa.)