We apply the concepts of classical and quantum channels to the modeling of opinion dynamics and propose a stochastic method for representing the temporal variation of individual and group opinions. In particular, we use quantum Galois noise channels to couple quantum information theory with social interaction to construct a new model of opinion dynamics that accounts for error rates and noise effects. This model captures more complex opinion propagation and interaction by incorporating the concepts of partial traces and entanglement. We also consider the role of superspreaders in the propagation of noisy information and their suppression mechanisms, and represent these dynamics in a mathematical model. We model the influence of superspreaders on interactions between individuals using unitary transformations and propose a new approach to measure social trustworthiness. In addition, we elaborate on the modeling of opinion propagation and suppression using Holevo channels. These models provide a new framework for a better understanding of social interactions and expand the potential applications of quantum information theory.
We apply the concepts of classical and quantum channels to the modeling of opinion dynamics and propose a stochastic method for representing the temporal variation of individual and group opinions. In particular, we use quantum Galois noise channels to couple quantum information theory with social interaction to construct a new model of opinion dynamics that accounts for error rates and noise effects. This model captures more complex opinion propagation and interaction by incorporating the concepts of partial traces and entanglement. We also consider the role of superspreaders in the propagation of noisy information and their suppression mechanisms, and represent these dynamics in a mathematical model. We model the influence of superspreaders on interactions between individuals using unitary transformations and propose a new approach to measure social trustworthiness. In addition, we elaborate on the modeling of opinion propagation and suppression using Holevo channels. These models provide a new framework for a better understanding of social interactions and expand the potential applications of quantum information theory.
The study of Opinion Dynamics, which explores how individual opinions and beliefs evolve and how societal consensus is formed, has been examined across social science, physics, and mathematics. Historically based on statistical physics models like the Ising model, recent research integrates quantum information theory concepts, such as Graph States, Stabilizer States, and Toric Codes. These quantum approaches offer fresh perspectives for analyzing complex relationships and interactions in opinion formation, such as modeling local interactions, using topological features for error resistance, and applying quantum mechanics for deeper insights into opinion polarization and entanglement. However, these applications face challenges in complexity, interpretation, and empirical validation. Quantum concepts are abstract and not easily translated into social science contexts, and direct observation of social opinion processes differs significantly from quantum experiments, leading to a gap between theoretical models and real-world applicability. Despite its potential, the practical use of the Toric Code Hamiltonian in Opinion Dynamics requires further exploration and research.
Recent research has developed the Ising model from physics, especially statistical mechanics, and it plays an important role in quantum computing, especially quantum annealing and quantum Monte Carlo methods. The model has also been used in opinion dynamics as a powerful tool for simulating social interactions and opinion formation processes. Individual opinions and preferences correspond to spin states, and social pressure and communication dynamics are modeled through interactions between spins. Quantum computing makes it possible to efficiently simulate these interactions and analyze more complex social networks.Recent research has incorporated concepts from quantum information theory such as Graph State, Stabilizer State, and Surface Code (or Toric Code) into models of opinion dynamics. The incorporation of these concepts allows for a more detailed analysis of the process of opinion formation and the dynamics of social networks. The concepts lie at the intersection of graph theory and quantum theory, and the use of Graph State in opinion dynamics can represent the interdependence of opinions and networks of influence among individuals. It helps to represent the local stability of opinions and the mechanisms for correcting misunderstandings within a social network. It allows us to understand how individual opinions are subject to social pressures and cultural influences and how they change over time.Incorporating these quantum theory concepts into opinion dynamics allows for a deeper understanding of social interactions and opinion formation processes. Moreover, these concepts can provide new insights not only in the social sciences, but also in fields as diverse as political science, economics, marketing, and urban planning.
Consensus formation is a central problem in collective behavior. In this work, we develop quantum models of opinion dynamics that can be exactly solved and implemented on current quantum hardware. By exploiting quantum superposition, measurement-induced state collapse, and entanglement, our framework captures key features of opinion evolution and allows a systematic investigation of how network connectivity shapes consensus formation. We demonstrate our approach using practical quantum circuits and validate representative cases on IBM Quantum devices for the open-chain. These findings pave the way for further exploration into quantum-enhanced social modeling, highlighting the potential of near-term quantum computers for simulating collective behavior in complex systems.
Classical models of opinion dynamics represent individual opinions as scalar or vector values governed by the classical probability theory, either as deterministic quantities or random variables. This framework does not account for empirically observed phenomena such as cognitive ambivalence (where an individual simultaneously holds conflicting views) and order effects (where survey responses depend on the order in which questions are asked). We propose a quantum model of opinion dynamics in which each agent's cognitive state is represented by a density matrix that encodes both the expressed opinion and cognitive ambivalence. Survey questions become non-commuting self-adjoint operators, which provides a principled explanation for order effects. Our model also identifies quantities without classical counterparts, including quantum coherence and pairwise opinion covariances. Under a product state approximation, the quantum model reduces to the classical Friedkin--Johnsen opinion model. We test the framework on synthetic and real-world networks and observe that pairwise correlations follow network-dependent transient dynamics but converge to the same steady state regardless of the network, and that quantum coherence decays exponentially at a rate independent of the network.
This paper delves into the history and integration of quantum theory into areas such as opinion dynamics, decision theory, and game theory, offering a novel framework for social simulations. It introduces a quantum perspective for analyzing information transfer and decision-making complexity within social systems, employing a toric code-based method for error discrimination.Central to this research is the use of toric codes, originally for quantum error correction, to detect and correct errors in social simulations, representing uncertainty in opinion formation and decision-making processes. Operator and error syndrome measurement, vital in quantum computation, help identify and analyze errors and uncertainty in social simulations. The paper also discusses fault-tolerant computation employing transversal gates, which protect against errors during quantum computation. In social simulations, transversal gates model protection from external interference and misinformation, enhancing the fidelity of decision-making and strategy formation processes.
We propose a quantum-mechanical model that represents a human system of beliefs as the quantised energy levels of a physical system. This model represents a novel perspective on opinion dynamics, recreating a broad range of experimental and real-world data that exhibit an asymmetry of opinion radicalisation. In particular, the model demonstrates the phenomena of pronounced conservatism versus mild liberalism when individuals are exposed to opposing views, mirroring recent findings on opinion polarisation via social media exposure. Advancing this model, we establish a robust framework that integrates elements from physics, psychology, behavioural science, decision-making theory, and philosophy. We also emphasise the inherent advantages of the quantum approach over traditional models, suggesting a number of new directions for future research work on quantum-mechanical models of human cognition and decision-making.