A Unified Framework for Opinion Dynamics

Opinion dynamics is the study of how large groups interact with one another and reach consensus, with applications to various areas such as computer networks, politics, and sociology. It is typically explored using agent-based modelling, with a wide variety of available models. Numerous opinion dynamics models have been proposed, but it has been pointed out that there is a lack of a shared framework. We extend earlier attempts and provide a unified framework. The advantages of such a framework include the reduction of duplication and the identification of unexplored parameter space. Our framework is implemented in a modular simulator which is then used to verify the validity of the framework. We show that the modular approach we propose is able to perfectly replicate results from purpose-built, stand-alone simulators for two widely used models, namely Relative Agreement and CODA.