PUBLIC OPINION FORMATION MODEL BASED ON OPINION ENTROPY

Yue Wu, Yong Hu () and Xiao-Hai He
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Yue Wu: College of Electronics and Information Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, P. R. China
Yong Hu: College of Electronics and Information Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, P. R. China
Xiao-Hai He: College of Electronics and Information Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, P. R. China

International Journal of Modern Physics C (IJMPC), 2013, vol. 24, issue 11, 1-13

Abstract: In this paper, we introduce the concept of opinion entropy based on Shannon entropy, which is used to describe the uncertainty of opinions. With opinion entropy, we further present a public opinion formation model, and simulate the process of public opinion formation under various controlled conditions. Simulation results on the Holme–Kim network show that the opinion entropy will reduce to zero, and all individuals will hold the opinion of agreeing with the topic, only by adjusting the cons' opinions with a high control intensity. Controlling the individuals with big degree can bring down the opinion entropy in a short time. Besides, extremists do not easily change their opinion entropy. Compared with previous opinion clusters, opinion entropy provides a quantitative measurement for the uncertainty of opinions. Moreover, the model can be helpful for understanding the dynamics of opinion entropy, and controlling the public opinion.

Keywords: Shannon entropy; public opinion formation; uncertainty; opinion clusters; 05.10.-a; 87.23.Ge; 87.23.Kg (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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DOI: 10.1142/S0129183113500800

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