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Trust and manipulation in social networks

Author

Listed:
  • FÖRSTER, MANUEL
  • MAULEON, ANA
  • VANNETELBOSCH, VINCENT J.

Abstract

We investigate the role of manipulation in boundedly rational opinion dynamics. Agents are subject to persuasion bias and repeatedly communicate with their neighbors in a social network. They can exert effort to manipulate trust in the opinions of others in their favor and update their opinions about some issue of common interest by taking weighted averages of neighbors' opinions. We show that manipulation can connect a segregated society and thus lead to mutual consensus. Second, we show that manipulation fosters opinion leadership; and surprisingly agents with low trust in their own opinion might get more influential even by being manipulated. Finally, comparative simulations reveal that manipulation is beneficial to information aggregation when preferences and abilities for manipulation are homogeneous, but detrimental in case abilities are concentrated at few powerful agents.

Suggested Citation

  • Förster, Manuel & Mauleon, Ana & Vannetelbosch, Vincent J., 2016. "Trust and manipulation in social networks," Network Science, Cambridge University Press, vol. 4(2), pages 216-243, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:netsci:v:4:y:2016:i:02:p:216-243_00
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    Cited by:

    1. David Muller & Vladimir Shikhman, 2021. "Network manipulation algorithm based on inexact alternating minimization," Papers 2107.03754, arXiv.org, revised Jul 2021.
    2. David Müller & Vladimir Shikhman, 2022. "Network manipulation algorithm based on inexact alternating minimization," Computational Management Science, Springer, vol. 19(4), pages 627-664, October.
    3. Mauleon, Ana & Nanumyan, Mariam & Vannetelbosch, Vincent, 2025. "Dynamics of ideal efforts and consensus in a multi-layer network game," Mathematical Social Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    4. VARDAR, N. Baris, 2013. "Imperfect resource substitution and optimal transition to clean technologies," LIDAM Discussion Papers CORE 2013072, Université catholique de Louvain, Center for Operations Research and Econometrics (CORE).
    5. DI SUMMA, Marco, 2013. "The convex hull of the all-different system with the inclusion property: a simple proof," LIDAM Discussion Papers CORE 2013069, Université catholique de Louvain, Center for Operations Research and Econometrics (CORE).
    6. Rapanos, Theodoros, 2023. "What makes an opinion leader: Expertise vs popularity," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 355-372.
    7. PAPAVASILIOU, Anthony & HE, Yi & SVOBODA, Alva, 2013. "Self-commitment of combined cycle units under electricity price uncertainty," LIDAM Discussion Papers CORE 2013051, Université catholique de Louvain, Center for Operations Research and Econometrics (CORE).
    8. Jean J. Gabszewicz & Skerdilajda Zanaj, 2015. "(Un)stable vertical collusive agreements," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 48(3), pages 924-939, August.
    9. RUSSO, Federica & MOUCHART, Michel & WUNSCH, Guillaume, 2013. "Confounding and control in a multivariate system. An issue in causal attribution," LIDAM Discussion Papers CORE 2013068, Université catholique de Louvain, Center for Operations Research and Econometrics (CORE).
    10. Buechel, Berno & Hellmann, Tim & Klößner, Stefan, 2015. "Opinion dynamics and wisdom under conformity," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 240-257.
    11. LAMAS, ALEJANDRO & CHEVALIER, Philippe, 2013. "Jumping the hurdles for collaboration: fairness in operations pooling in the absence of transfer payments," LIDAM Discussion Papers CORE 2013073, Université catholique de Louvain, Center for Operations Research and Econometrics (CORE).
    12. Mauleon, Ana & Nanumyan, Mariam & Vannetelbosch, Vincent, 2024. "Ideal efforts and consensus in a multi-layer network game," LIDAM Discussion Papers CORE 2024023, Université catholique de Louvain, Center for Operations Research and Econometrics (CORE).
    13. Förster, Manuel & Mauleon, Ana & Vannetelbosch, Vincent J., 2016. "Trust and manipulation in social networks," Network Science, Cambridge University Press, vol. 4(2), pages 216-243, June.
    14. WOLSEY, Laurence & YAMAN , Hand & ,, 2013. "Continuous knapsack sets with divisible capacities," LIDAM Discussion Papers CORE 2013063, Université catholique de Louvain, Center for Operations Research and Econometrics (CORE).
    15. Foerster, Manuel, 2018. "Finite languages, persuasion bias, and opinion fluctuations," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 46-57.
    16. Ana Mauleon & Elena Molis & Vincent Vannetelbosch & Wouter Vergote, 2014. "Dominance invariant one-to-one matching problems," International Journal of Game Theory, Springer;Game Theory Society, vol. 43(4), pages 925-943, November.
    17. Paul Belleflamme & Paul Bloch, 2013. "Dynamic Protection of Innovations through Patents and Trade Secrets," CESifo Working Paper Series 4486, CESifo.
    18. MADANI, Mehdi & VAN VYVE, Mathieu, 2013. "A new formulation of the European day-ahead electricity market problem and its algorithmic consequences," LIDAM Discussion Papers CORE 2013074, Université catholique de Louvain, Center for Operations Research and Econometrics (CORE).
    19. François Maniquet & Massimo Morelli, 2015. "Approval quorums dominate participation quorums," Social Choice and Welfare, Springer;The Society for Social Choice and Welfare, vol. 45(1), pages 1-27, June.
    20. Cristina Pardo-Garcia & Jose Sempere-Monerris, 2015. "Equilibrium mergers in a composite good industry with efficiencies," SERIEs: Journal of the Spanish Economic Association, Springer;Spanish Economic Association, vol. 6(1), pages 101-127, March.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • D85 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Network Formation
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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