Agent-Based Modeling of Consensus Group Formation with Complex Webs of Beliefs
Formation of consensus groups with shared opinions or views is a common feature of human social life and also a well-known phenomenon in cases when views are complex, as in the case of the formation of scholarly disciplines. In such cases, shared views are not simple sets of opinions but rather comp...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-11-01
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| Series: | Systems |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-8954/10/6/212 |
| _version_ | 1797455147895357440 |
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| author | Ismo T. Koponen |
| author_facet | Ismo T. Koponen |
| author_sort | Ismo T. Koponen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Formation of consensus groups with shared opinions or views is a common feature of human social life and also a well-known phenomenon in cases when views are complex, as in the case of the formation of scholarly disciplines. In such cases, shared views are not simple sets of opinions but rather complex webs of beliefs (WoBs). Here, we approach such consensus group formation through the agent-based model (ABM). Agents’ views are described as complex, extensive web-like structures resembling semantic networks, i.e., webs of beliefs. In the ABM introduced here, the agents’ interactions and participation in sharing their views are dependent on the similarity of the agents’ webs of beliefs; the greater the similarity, the more likely the interaction and sharing of elements of WoBs. In interactions, the WoBs are altered when agents seek consensus and consensus groups are formed. The consensus group formation depends on the agents’ sensitivity to the similarity of their WoBs. If their sensitivity is low, only one large and diffuse group is formed, while with high sensitivity, many separated and segregated consensus groups emerge. To conclude, we discuss how such results resemble the formation of disciplinary, scholarly consensus groups. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:47:21Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0e27bf0631d8458fab223e05ec33bc90 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2079-8954 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:47:21Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Systems |
| spelling | doaj.art-0e27bf0631d8458fab223e05ec33bc902023-11-24T18:21:51ZengMDPI AGSystems2079-89542022-11-0110621210.3390/systems10060212Agent-Based Modeling of Consensus Group Formation with Complex Webs of BeliefsIsmo T. Koponen0Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, FinlandFormation of consensus groups with shared opinions or views is a common feature of human social life and also a well-known phenomenon in cases when views are complex, as in the case of the formation of scholarly disciplines. In such cases, shared views are not simple sets of opinions but rather complex webs of beliefs (WoBs). Here, we approach such consensus group formation through the agent-based model (ABM). Agents’ views are described as complex, extensive web-like structures resembling semantic networks, i.e., webs of beliefs. In the ABM introduced here, the agents’ interactions and participation in sharing their views are dependent on the similarity of the agents’ webs of beliefs; the greater the similarity, the more likely the interaction and sharing of elements of WoBs. In interactions, the WoBs are altered when agents seek consensus and consensus groups are formed. The consensus group formation depends on the agents’ sensitivity to the similarity of their WoBs. If their sensitivity is low, only one large and diffuse group is formed, while with high sensitivity, many separated and segregated consensus groups emerge. To conclude, we discuss how such results resemble the formation of disciplinary, scholarly consensus groups.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-8954/10/6/212consensus groupsagent-based modelweb of beliefs |
| spellingShingle | Ismo T. Koponen Agent-Based Modeling of Consensus Group Formation with Complex Webs of Beliefs Systems consensus groups agent-based model web of beliefs |
| title | Agent-Based Modeling of Consensus Group Formation with Complex Webs of Beliefs |
| title_full | Agent-Based Modeling of Consensus Group Formation with Complex Webs of Beliefs |
| title_fullStr | Agent-Based Modeling of Consensus Group Formation with Complex Webs of Beliefs |
| title_full_unstemmed | Agent-Based Modeling of Consensus Group Formation with Complex Webs of Beliefs |
| title_short | Agent-Based Modeling of Consensus Group Formation with Complex Webs of Beliefs |
| title_sort | agent based modeling of consensus group formation with complex webs of beliefs |
| topic | consensus groups agent-based model web of beliefs |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-8954/10/6/212 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT ismotkoponen agentbasedmodelingofconsensusgroupformationwithcomplexwebsofbeliefs |