Social network influence on consistent choice. (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Reed, Markum
• Is Part Of: Journal of choice modelling. Volume 17(2015)
• Page Start: 28
• Page End: 38
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Social network -- Consistent choice -- Twitter -- Voting; Decision making -- Periodicals; Social choice -- Periodicals; Decision making; Social choice; Periodicals; 302.13
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jocm.2015.12.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1755-5345

Abstract

Abstract: Social networks tend to shape our view about the world. Our study conducts and empirical analysis of social network dynamics using Twitter data. We ask whether social networks influence voting decisions, and determine whether or not people make consistent choice based on their tweets. We collect Twitter data on a daily basis, with dynamic social network measurements before, during, and after the 2012 Presidential election. We use lexicographical analysis to check if ideological keywords are present in a user's tweets, and if the overall sentiment on this issue is positive or negative. We utilize this data to determine how people should have chosen an outcome, which may conflict with an individual's observed declaration of political ideology. We are able to determine what percentage of the population made a consistent choice based on their Tweets during the 2012 presidential election. Additionally, we examine the social network structure in Twitter and how it affects voting. We illustrate that an individual's political ideology is influenced by their network. Highlights: We use Twitter data and lexicographic analysis to measure political ideology. Collective social interaction influences opinion formation and voting behavior. Social network structure influences our ability to make consistent choices. Physical location has little to no impact on our online voting behavior.