Social contagions on weighted networks

Phys Rev E. 2017 Jul;96(1-1):012306. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevE.96.012306. Epub 2017 Jul 5.

Abstract

We investigate critical behaviors of a social contagion model on weighted networks. An edge-weight compartmental approach is applied to analyze the weighted social contagion on strongly heterogenous networks with skewed degree and weight distributions. We find that degree heterogeneity cannot only alter the nature of contagion transition from discontinuous to continuous but also can enhance or hamper the size of adoption, depending on the unit transmission probability. We also show that the heterogeneity of weight distribution always hinders social contagions, and does not alter the transition type.

MeSH terms

  • Computer Simulation
  • Models, Theoretical*
  • Social Networking
  • Time Factors