An interplay model for rumour spreading and emergency development

Zi-li Zhang and Zi-qiong Zhang

Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, 2009, vol. 388, issue 19, 4159-4166

Abstract: Rumours influence how people make decisions in an emergency-affected environment. Conversely, the development of situation is affected by public action as well. We present a model for describing the interplay between rumour spreading and emergency development. Then, we describe a formulation of this model and derive, from differential equations for some possibility of the positive role of rumours in the control of situation and social loss. Our results show that rumour spreading at certain rate has positive effects on situation stability and especially has delaying effects on the rapid proliferation of an emergency. Finally, we outline a strategy for authorities that can contribute to rumour management in an emergency event.

Keywords: Rumour spreading; Mathematical model; Emergency; Interplay; Positive role (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2009
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (20)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:phsmap:v:388:y:2009:i:19:p:4159-4166

DOI: 10.1016/j.physa.2009.06.020

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