Emergence of group hierarchy

Abstract

We consider an opinion dynamics model where, during random pair interactions, each agent modifies her opinions about both agents of the random pair and also about some other agents, chosen randomly. Moreover, each agent belongs to a single group and the opinions within the group are attracted to their average. In simulations starting from neutral opinions, we observe the emergence of a group hierarchy. We derive a moment approximation that provides equations ruling the evolution of the average opinion of agents in a group about the agents of another group. This approximation explains how the group hierarchy emerges.