Project
Cascading Transitions in Opinions

In this project, we aim to use complex systems models to describe, simulate, and theorize about the processes of attitude formation and change, both at the intra-individual and inter-individual levels. The focus lies on exploring the dynamics of the Hierarchical Ising Opinion Model (HIOM; van der Maas et al., 2020) and other formal models of attitude and opinion dynamics (Dalege et al., 2016; 2018), expanding on (or simplifying) them where necessary. To this aim, we test these models using existing literature, publicly available datasets, and by conducting simulation and experimental studies on important phenomena such as polarization, cognitive dissonance (Festinger, 1957), ambivalence (van Harreveld et al., 2015), and pretest effects (Lana, 1966).
This project is an IOPS project, as it is focused on formal modeling approaches. Moreover, since attention and involvement in specific issues play a crucial role in the models we use, we are also developing a measurement instrument to properly capture these concepts.

Supervisors
Prof. Dr. Han van der Maas
Dr. Jonas Dalege

Financed by
“Beyond the Tipping Point: Cascading Transitions in the Behavioral and Social Sciences” (ERC, Cascade, 101053880)

Period
1 April 2023 – 1 October 2027