Biswas-Chatterjee-Sen kinetic exchange opinion model for two connected groups

Area of Science:

• Sociophysics
• Computational Social Science
• Statistical Mechanics

Background:

• The Biswas-Chatterjee-Sen model describes opinion dynamics in social systems.
• Modular interaction structures, with frequent within-group and rare between-group interactions, are common in real-world networks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate opinion dynamics in a modularly structured Biswas-Chatterjee-Sen model.
• To identify novel stable states beyond previously known ordered and disordered states.
• To determine the conditions for the stability of these states.

Main Methods:

• Mean-field analytical approximation was employed to model the system.
• Agent-based simulations were conducted to validate analytical predictions.

Main Results:

• A new stable antisymmetric ordered state was identified, characterized by opposing dominant opinions in each group.
• The stability limits of this antisymmetric state, in terms of interaction strength and noise, were determined.
• A discontinuous transition from the antisymmetric to a symmetric state was observed when critical thresholds were exceeded.

Conclusions:

• The mean-field approximation accurately predicts the behavior of the modular Biswas-Chatterjee-Sen model.
• The antisymmetric ordered state represents a significant finding in understanding opinion polarization in modular networks.
• Numerical simulations confirm the analytical predictions regarding stability and transitions.