Dynamic Epistemic Logics of Diffusion and Prediction in Social Networks

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Alexandru Baltag, Zoé Christoff, Rasmus Kræmmer Rendsvig, Sonja Smets

We take a logical approach to threshold models, used to study the diffusion of opinions, new technologies, infections, or behaviors in social networks. Threshold models consist of a network graph of agents connected by a social relationship and a threshold value which regulates the diffusion process. Agents adopt a new behavior/product/opinion when the proportion of their neighbors who have already adopted it meets the threshold. Under this diffusion policy, threshold models develop dynamically towards a guaranteed fixed point. We construct a minimal dynamic propositional logic to describe the threshold dynamics and show that the logic is sound and complete. We then extend this framework with an epistemic dimension and investigate how information about more distant neighbors’ behavior allows agents to anticipate changes in behavior of their closer neighbors. Overall, our logical formalism captures the interplay between the epistemic and social dimensions in social networks.
TidsskriftStudia Logica: An International Journal for Symbolic Logic
Udgave nummer3
Sider (fra-til)489-531
Antal sider43
StatusUdgivet - 2019

ID: 208822833