Social clustering reinforces external influence on the majority opinion model

Abstract: Public opinion is subject to peer interaction via social networks and external pressure from the media, advertising, and other actors. In this paper, we study the interaction between external and peer influence on the stochastic opinion dynamics of a majority vote model. We introduce a model where agents update their opinions based on the combined influence of their local neighbourhood (peers) and an external actor in the transition rates. In the first model, the external influence is only felt by agents non-aligned with the external actor ("push strategy"). In the second model, agents are affected by external influence, independently of their opinions ("nudging strategy"). In both cases, the external influence increases the possible macroscopic outcomes. These outcomes are determined by the chosen influence strategy. We also find that the social network structure affects the opinion dynamics, with social clustering positively reinforcing the external influence whereas degree heterogeneity weakens the external forces. These findings are relevant to businesses and policy making, helping to understand how groups of individuals collectively react to external actors.