Opinion Dynamics in Digital Networks: Integrating Bounded Confidence and Expressed Private Opinion Models

Abstract

This paper examines how opinions form in social networks, particularly when individuals look to a centralized source for the majority opinion. Motivated by the increasingly connected and selective nature of digital information platforms, this study introduces a new extension to the bounded confidence model that distinguishes between the expressed and private opinions of individuals. The proposed Expressed Private Opinion-Bounded Confidence (EPO-BC) model integrates two existing models to support a more complete understanding of how opinion clusters form, polarization emerges, and pluralistic ignorance develops in networked environments. Key findings show the potential role of centralized broadcasting in the creation of perceived consensus that hides underlying opinion diversity. While primarily theoretical, this research helps to explain and understand how digital platforms impact opinion formation and offers insights into mechanisms that may mitigate unfavorable dynamics in these networks.