Fig. 1.

Illustration of the different agent strategies. The strategy followed by an agent j is characterized by two parameters: b_j, which indicates the agent’s bias, and s_j, which quantifies the strength of the bias. b_j ∈ {a_j (t),−1, 1}, whereas s_j ∈ [0, 1]. Well-intentioned agents (whether naive or conservative) have b_j = a_j(t), whereas partisan agents have b_j = ±1. If s_j = 0, agents are completely trusting. As s_j increases, the level of distrust increases, so that, for s_j = 1, agents will freeze once they attain their preferred state.