A Kinetic Study of Opinion Dynamics in Multi-agent Systems

In this paper we rephrase the problem of opinion formation from a physical viewpoint. We consider a multi-agent system where each agent is associated with an opinion and interacts with any other agent. Interpreting the agents as the molecules of a gas, we model the opinion evolution according to a kinetic model based on the analysis of interactions among agents. From a microscopic description of each interaction between pairs of agents, we derive the stationary profiles under given assumption. Results show that, depending on the average opinion and on the model parameters, different profiles can be found, with different properties. Each stationary profile is characterized by the presence of one or two maxima.