(CMMSE paper) A finite-difference model for indoctrination dynamics

In this work, a system of non-linear difference equations is employed to model the opinion dynamics between a small group of agents (the target group) and a very persuasive agent (the indoctrinator). Two scenarios are investigated: the indoctrination of a homogeneous target group, in which each agent grants the same weight to his (or her) partner's opinion and the indoctrination of a heterogenous target group, in which each agent may grant a different weight to his or her partner's opinion. Simulations are performed to study the required times by the indoctrinator to convince a group. Initially, these groups are in a consensus about a doctrine different to that of the ideologist. The interactions between the agents are pairwise.