The iterative persuasion-polarization opinion dynamics and its mean-field analysis

Abstract: In this paper, we introduce the Iterative Persuasion-Polarization (IPP) model to study the dynamics of opinion formation and change within a population. The IPP model integrates mechanisms of persuasion and repulsion, where individuals influence each other through interactions that can either align opinions incrementally or lead to greater divergence. The probability of each interaction type is governed by a parameter $\alpha$, representing the population's receptiveness to persuasion. We investigate how these interaction dynamics shape the long-term distribution of opinions, examining conditions that promote consensus or polarization. By deriving a system of nonlinear and autonomous ordinary differential equations (ODEs), we provide a rigorous mathematical framework for analyzing the distributional behavior of opinions in large populations. Our findings contribute to a deeper understanding of social influence dynamics and their implications in complex social systems.