Local Opinion Heterogeneity and Individual Participation in Collective Behavior: A Reconsideration

Hai-hua Hu (), Jun Lin () and Wen-tian Cui ()
Additional contact information
Jun Lin: http://ljun.gr.xjtu.edu.cn
Wen-tian Cui: http://som.xjtu.edu.cn/contents/706/2390.html

Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, 2015, vol. 18, issue 2, 6

Abstract: Local opinion heterogeneity (LOH) critically influences an individual’s choice of collective behaviors, such as voting and protesting. However, several empirical studies have presented different conclusions on how LOH affects such preference. In the current research, the effect of LOH is considered based on agent-based modeling and the threshold model introduced by Granovetter (1978). A series of simulation experiments and statistical analyses are conducted. Results show that LOH has an inverse U-shape effect on the likelihood of participation (whether an individual decides to participate). By contrast, the findings reveal that LOH has a monotonous effect on participation timing (when a participant makes the decision). Specifically, when LOH is high, an individual opts to participate early. These observations can be explained by the influence of LOH on the structure of social networks and by the moderating effect of the global distribution of opinions within the population.

Keywords: Local Opinion Heterogeneity; Participation Likelihood; Participation Timing; Collective Behavior; Agent-Based Modeling; Threshold Model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015-03-31
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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