Eur. Phys. J. Special Topics 143, 237-239 (2007)
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjst/e2007-00093-y

Monte Carlo simulations of a model for opinion formation

¹ IMApEC, Facultad de Ingeniería, UNLP, Calle 115 esquina 50, 1900 La Plata, Argentina
² Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas (INIFTA), UNLP, CONICET, Casilla de Correo 16, Sucursal 4, 1900 La Plata, Argentina

Abstract

A model for opinion formation based on the Theory of Social Impact is presented and studied by means of numerical simulations. Individuals with two states of opinion are impacted due to social interactions with: i) members of the society, ii) a strong leader with a well-defined opinion and iii) the mass media that could either support or compete with the leader. Due to that competition, the average opinion of the social group exhibits phase-transition like behaviour between different states of opinion.