In this paper we analyze the stochastic model proposed by Galam in [S. Galam, Modelling rumors: The no plane Pentagon French hoax case, Physica A 320 (2003), 571-580], for information spreading in a `word-of-mouth' process among agents, based on a majority rule. Using the communications rules among agents defined in the above reference, we first perform simulations of the `word-of-mouth' process and compare the results with the theoretical values predicted by Galam's model. Some dissimilarities arise in particular when a small number of agents is considered. We find motivations for these dissimilarities and suggest some enhancements by introducing a new parameter dependent model. We propose a modified Galam's scheme which is asymptotically coincident with the original model in the above reference. Furthermore, for relatively small values of the parameter, we provide a numerical experience proving that the modified model often outperforms the original one.

A modified Galam’s model for word-of-mouth information exchange

ELLERO, Andrea;FASANO, Giovanni;SORATO, Annamaria
2009-01-01

Abstract

In this paper we analyze the stochastic model proposed by Galam in [S. Galam, Modelling rumors: The no plane Pentagon French hoax case, Physica A 320 (2003), 571-580], for information spreading in a `word-of-mouth' process among agents, based on a majority rule. Using the communications rules among agents defined in the above reference, we first perform simulations of the `word-of-mouth' process and compare the results with the theoretical values predicted by Galam's model. Some dissimilarities arise in particular when a small number of agents is considered. We find motivations for these dissimilarities and suggest some enhancements by introducing a new parameter dependent model. We propose a modified Galam's scheme which is asymptotically coincident with the original model in the above reference. Furthermore, for relatively small values of the parameter, we provide a numerical experience proving that the modified model often outperforms the original one.
2009
388
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10278/30873
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