Analysis of the influence of trust in opposing opinions: An inclusiveness-degree based Signed Deffuant–Weisbush model

Abstract

The evolution of the opinion of an agent is often uncertain in social networks, especially when they have to communicate with agents holding opposing opinions on a certain topic. In this paper, we model this uncertainty mechanism using a proposed inclusiveness function for each agent to capture the acceptance degree of opposing opinions. Then, an inclusiveness-degree based Signed Deffuant–Weisbush (ISDW) model is constructed based on the signed graph theory and the bounded confidence rule. Simulation are performed to investigate the relationships among three opinion dynamic models: The ISDW model, the Signed Deffuant–Weisbush (SDW) model, and the Deffuant–Weisbush (DW) model. Further, the influence of the inclusiveness-degree and the confidence level on opinion formation is analyzed simultaneously. Particularly, we observe a fascinating “black swan” phenomenon where the opinion polarization of two long-standing opposing groups turns to consensus quickly when some special parameters are selected.