The role of position in consensus dynamics of polarizable networks
Abstract Communication constraints often complicate group decision-making. In this experiment, we investigate how the network position of opinionated group members determines both the speed and the outcome of group consensus in 7-member communication networks susceptible to polarization. To this end...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2023-03-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-30613-z |
| _version_ | 1827984337240326144 |
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| author | Helge Giese Felix Gaisbauer Nico Gradwohl Ariana Strandburg-Peshkin |
| author_facet | Helge Giese Felix Gaisbauer Nico Gradwohl Ariana Strandburg-Peshkin |
| author_sort | Helge Giese |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Communication constraints often complicate group decision-making. In this experiment, we investigate how the network position of opinionated group members determines both the speed and the outcome of group consensus in 7-member communication networks susceptible to polarization. To this end, we implemented an online version of a color coordination task within experimentally controlled communication networks. In 72 networks, one individual was incentivized to prefer one of two options. In 156 networks, two individuals were incentivized to prefer conflicting options. The network positions of incentivized individuals were varied. In networks with a single incentivized individual, network position played no significant role in either the speed or outcome of consensus decisions. For conflicts, the incentivized individual with more neighbors was more likely to sway the group to their preferred outcome. Furthermore, consensus emerged more slowly when the opponents had the same number of neighbors, but could not see each other’s votes directly. These results suggest that the visibility of an opinion is key to wielding group influence, and that specific structures are sufficient to run communication networks into polarization, hindering a speedy consensus. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T22:58:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a774c2943c914b8b8e114e454806a081 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T22:58:41Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-a774c2943c914b8b8e114e454806a0812023-03-22T11:07:01ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222023-03-011311710.1038/s41598-023-30613-zThe role of position in consensus dynamics of polarizable networksHelge Giese0Felix Gaisbauer1Nico Gradwohl2Ariana Strandburg-Peshkin3Charité – Universitätsmedizin BerlinUniversity of KonstanzUniversity of KonstanzUniversity of KonstanzAbstract Communication constraints often complicate group decision-making. In this experiment, we investigate how the network position of opinionated group members determines both the speed and the outcome of group consensus in 7-member communication networks susceptible to polarization. To this end, we implemented an online version of a color coordination task within experimentally controlled communication networks. In 72 networks, one individual was incentivized to prefer one of two options. In 156 networks, two individuals were incentivized to prefer conflicting options. The network positions of incentivized individuals were varied. In networks with a single incentivized individual, network position played no significant role in either the speed or outcome of consensus decisions. For conflicts, the incentivized individual with more neighbors was more likely to sway the group to their preferred outcome. Furthermore, consensus emerged more slowly when the opponents had the same number of neighbors, but could not see each other’s votes directly. These results suggest that the visibility of an opinion is key to wielding group influence, and that specific structures are sufficient to run communication networks into polarization, hindering a speedy consensus.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-30613-z |
| spellingShingle | Helge Giese Felix Gaisbauer Nico Gradwohl Ariana Strandburg-Peshkin The role of position in consensus dynamics of polarizable networks Scientific Reports |
| title | The role of position in consensus dynamics of polarizable networks |
| title_full | The role of position in consensus dynamics of polarizable networks |
| title_fullStr | The role of position in consensus dynamics of polarizable networks |
| title_full_unstemmed | The role of position in consensus dynamics of polarizable networks |
| title_short | The role of position in consensus dynamics of polarizable networks |
| title_sort | role of position in consensus dynamics of polarizable networks |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-30613-z |
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