Research on the Dynamical Behavior of Public Opinion Triggered by Rumor Based on a Nonlinear Oscillator Model

Abstract

In public opinion triggered by rumors, the authenticity of the information remains uncertain, and the main topic oscillates between diverse opinions. In this paper, a nonlinear oscillator model is proposed to demonstrate the public opinion triggered by rumors. Based on the model and actual data of one case, it is found that a continuous flow of new information about rumors acts as external forces on the system, probably leading to the chaotic behavior of public opinion. Moreover, similar features are observed in three other cases, and the same model is also applicable to these cases. Based on these results, it is shown that our model possesses generality, revealing the evolutionary trends of a certain type of public opinion in real-world scenarios.