Critical social networks

Critical social ensembles are generated using a decision making model (DMM) consisting of a master equation, with two-state elements at the nodes of a two-dimensional lattice. The dynamics of the DMM undergo phase transitions to either a consensus state or another state composed of apparently statistically independent individuals as shown in an ensemble of calculations. The critical social ensemble is entailed by the network elements nonlinearly interacting through imperfect social imitation on the backbone of a correlation network. An information entropy measure of the difference between coherent and incoherent configurations in the critical social ensemble is constructed. The entropy indicates a greater probability for the formation of either opposing groups or universal consensus above that of random disagreement. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.