Three-state opinion model with mobile agents

We study an agent-based opinion model with two extreme (opposite) opinion states and a neutral intermediate one. We adjust the relative degree of conviction between extremists and neutrals through a dimensionless parameter called the neutrality parameter to investigate its impact on the outcome of the system. In our model, agents move randomly on a plane with periodic boundary conditions and interact with each other only when they are within a fixed distance threshold. We examine different movement mechanisms and their interplay with the neutrality parameter. Our results show that in general, mobility promotes the global consensus, especially for extreme opinions. However, it takes significantly less time to reach a consensus on the neutral opinion.

Automated summary

In this study, we investigate the impact of a dimensionless parameter, called the neutrality parameter, on the formation of consensus in an agent-based opinion model. The results show that in general, mobility promotes the formation of global consensus, especially for extreme opinions. However, it takes significantly less time to reach a consensus on the neutral opinion.