Cross-network dissemination model of public opinion in coupled networks

Abstract

In a coupled network system, information can be sourced and disseminated in many ways. In this study, we investigate the diffusion effect of information in a coupled social network environment, using two new node states to augment information dissemination. Using an improved SIR model, this paper posits that a coupled network comprises two categories of nodes, independent spreaders and cross-network spreaders, which participate in the process of information spreading. The independent spreaders act as a source for information, leading to a higher spreading probability and a wider spreading scope. The cross-network spreaders transfer the spreading onto another network. Our simulation result using synthetic data suggests that the environment of the coupled social network affects the diffusion of information and information diffusion has a prolonged relaxation time due to these nodes. Further, we analyze the data collected from Weibo and WeChat of an actual news event to visualize the information spread process in the cross-network dissemination case of public opinion, and show that our improved SIR model provides a good fit to explain the data.