Deffuant model of opinion formation in one-dimensional multiplex networks

Complex systems in the real world often operate through multiple kinds of links connecting their constituents. In this paper we propose an opinion formation model under bounded confidence over multiplex networks, consisting of edges at different topological and temporal scales. We determine rigorously the critical confidence threshold by exploiting probability theory and network science when the nodes are arranged on the integers, $Z$, evolving in continuous time. It is found that the existence of 'multiplexity' impedes the convergence, and that working with the aggregated or summarized simplex network is inaccurate since it misses vital information. Analytical calculations are confirmed by extensive numerical simulations. (paper)