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Opinion Cascades and Echo-Chambers in Online Networks: A Proof of Concept Agent-Based Model

Pilditch, TD; (2017) Opinion Cascades and Echo-Chambers in Online Networks: A Proof of Concept Agent-Based Model. In: Gunzelmann, G and Howes, A and Tenbrink, T and Davelaar, E, (eds.) Proceedings of the 39th Annual Meetng of the Cognitive Science Society (CogSci 2017). (pp. pp. 943-948). Cognitive Science Society Green open access

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Abstract

In online networks, the polarization of opinions (e.g., regarding presidential elections or referenda) has been associated with the creation of “echo-chambers” of like-minded peers, secluded from those of contrary viewpoints. Previous work has commonly attributed such phenomena to self-regarding preferences (e.g., confirmation bias), individual differences, and the pre-dispositions of users, with clusters forming over repeated interactions. The present work provides a proof of concept Agent-Based Model that demonstrates online networks are susceptible to echo-chambers from a single opinion cascade, due to the spatiotemporal order induced by lateral transmission. This susceptibility is found to vary as a function of degree of interconnectivity and opinion strength. Critically, such effects are found despite globally proportionate levels of opinions, equally rational agents (i.e. absent conformity, confirmation bias or pre-disposition architecture), and prior to cyclical interactions. The assumptions and implications of this work, including the value of Agent-Based Modelling to cognitive psychology, are discussed.

Type: Proceedings paper
Title: Opinion Cascades and Echo-Chambers in Online Networks: A Proof of Concept Agent-Based Model
Event: CogSci 2017: 39th Annual Meetng of the Cognitive Science Society, 26-29 July 2017, London, UK
Location: London, UK
Dates: 26 July 2017 - 29 July 2017
ISBN-13: 9780991196760
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
Publisher version: https://mindmodeling.org/cogsci2017/papers/0185/in...
Language: English
Additional information: This is the published version of record. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
Keywords: Information cascades; opinion dynamics; belief updating; Agent-Based Models
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > Div of Psychology and Lang Sciences
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1570311
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