Eur. Phys. J. B 26, 387-391 (2002)
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjb/e20020104

Stochastic resonance in a model of opinion formation on small-world networks

¹ Centro Atómico Bariloche and Instituto Balseiro, 8400 S.C. de Bariloche, Argentina
² Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Argentina

Corresponding author: ^a kuperman@cab.cnea.gov.ar

Received: 19 December 2001
Published online: 15 April 2002

Abstract

We analyze the phenomenon of stochastic resonance in an Ising-like system on a small-world network. The system, which is subject to the combined action of noise and an external modulation, can be interpreted as a stylized model of opinion formation by imitation under the effects of a “fashion wave”. Both the amplitude threshold for the detection of the external modulation and the width of the stochastic-resonance peak show considerable variation as the randomness of the underlying small-world network is changed.