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Opinion polarization and its connected disagreement: Modeling and modulation
Xuzhe Qian1,2, Bo-Wei Qin1,2,3, Huaiping Zhu4
1Fudan University, School of Mathematical Sciences and Shanghai Center for Mathematical Sciences, 200433 Shanghai, China.
Physical Review. E
|February 20, 2026
Summary
Polarization is inevitable due to the self-confidence effect. Connected disagreement, however, stems from network topology and unstable eigenmodes, offering strategies to mitigate it when consensus is unattainable.
Area of Science:
- Social dynamics
- Network science
- Psychological mechanisms
Background:
- Divergent opinions and polarization are prevalent across economics, technology, and politics.
- Previous research focused on achieving complete consensus, often overlooking inherent mechanisms of disagreement.
- Understanding the roots of polarization and disagreement is crucial for social cohesion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the self-confidence effect in opinion polarization.
- To differentiate the formation mechanisms of polarization and connected disagreement.
- To explore the relationship between network topology and the intensification of connected disagreement.
Main Methods:
- Development of a networked dynamical model incorporating the self-confidence effect.
- Analysis of opinion patterns and their boundaries.
- Investigation of the random walk normalized Laplacian (RWNL) and its eigenmodes in relation to network structure.
Main Results:
- Polarization is an inevitable outcome of the self-confidence effect in interpreting social pressure.
- Polarization (opinion distribution) does not necessarily equate to high-level connected disagreement.
- Connected disagreement intensifies with an increasing number of unstable eigenmodes of the RWNL, influenced by network topology.
Conclusions:
- Polarization and connected disagreement have distinct formation mechanisms.
- Network topology significantly influences the evolution and intensity of connected disagreement.
- Findings offer strategies to mitigate connected disagreement, even when eliminating polarization is not feasible.
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