Contrarian effect in opinion forming: Insights from Greta Thunberg phenomenon. Issue 2 (3rd April 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Iacomini, E.; Vellucci, P.
• Is Part Of: Journal of mathematical sociology. Volume 47:Issue 2(2023)
• Page Start: 123
• Page End: 169
• Publication Date: 2023-04-03
• Subjects: Opinion dynamics -- agent-based model -- contrarian effect -- web scraping -- sentiment analysis -- collective phenomenon; Sociology -- Periodicals; Sociology -- Mathematical models -- Periodicals; 301.0151
• DOI: 10.1080/0022250X.2021.1981310
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-250X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In recent months, the figure of Greta Thunberg and the theme of climate changings quickly became the focus of the debate. This has led to a polarization effect in opinion forming about the climate subject. Starting from the analysis of this phenomenon, we develop an opinion dynamics model in which several types of contrarian agents are considered. Each agent is supposed to have an opinion on several topics related to each other; thus, the opinions being formed on these topics are also mutually dependent. The aim of the paper is to investigate the indirect effects of contrarian agents on the collective opinion about these topics. Several numerical tests are presented in order to highlight the main features of the model.