A New Model for Estimating the Probability of Information Spreading with Opinion Leaders

In this paper we analyze some issues related to the general problem of information spreading among individuals, where suitable assumptions on the information exchange are considered. In particular, starting from the scheme proposed in [5], which is based on a majority rule to treat the individuals' interaction, we define and introduce special individuals who play a key role in the information spreading. The latter will be addressed as opinion leaders, and have the special feature of strongly interfering with the process based on the majority rule. We consider a new model, where opinion leaders are introduced as special agents, and study its specific properties which significantly recast some conclusions worth for the model in [5]. Finally, we provide some results concerning the dynamics of the model.

Keywords: Information spreading, Galam’s model, Opinion leaders

JEL Classification: C02, C40

Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

Ellero, Andrea and Sorato, Annamaria and Fasano, Giovanni, A New Model for Estimating the Probability of Information Spreading with Opinion Leaders (November 30, 2011). Department of Management, Università Ca' Foscari Venezia Working Paper No. 13/2011, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2037450 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2037450