2011/07/12 by Nick. J. McCullen, N. J. McCULLEN, M. V. IVANCHENKO +5 · 6 citations
Computer Science · Economics, Econometrics and Finance · Physics and Astronomy · #Bifurcation #Bistability #Complex Systems and Time Series Analysis #Context (archaeology) #Coupling (piping) #Coupling strength #Homogeneous #Nonlinear Dynamics and Pattern Formation #Opinion Dynamics and Social Influence #Parameter space #Pitchfork bifurcation #Simple (philosophy) #nlin.AO
paper · pdf · doi:10.1142/s0218127411030076
published in International Journal of Bifurcation and Chaos 21(09), 2467-2480 (World Scientific)
openalex publication_date 2011/07/12 · arxiv created 2014/01/28 · arxiv updated 2014/01/29 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
A consumer behavior model is considered in the context of a network of interacting individuals in an energy market. We propose and analyze a simple dynamical model of an ensemble of coupled active elements mimicking consumers' behavior, where "word-of-mouth" interactions between individuals are important. A single element is modeled using the automatic control system framework. Assuming local (nearest neighbor) coupling we study the evolution of chains and lattices of the model consumers when varying the coupling strength and initial conditions. The results are interpreted as the dynamics of the decision-making process by the energy-market consumers. We demonstrate that a pitchfork bifurcation to the homogeneous solution leads to bistability of stationary regimes, while the autonomous system is always monostable. In the presence of inhomogeneities, this results in the formation of clusters of sharply positive and negative opinions. We also find that, depending on the coupling strength, the perturbations caused by inhomogeneities can be exponentially localized in space or delocalized. In the latter case, the coarse-graining of opinion clusters occurs.