Toxic behaviour facilitates echo chammber formation: An agent-based modelling simulation of science attitudes based on Spiral of Silence Theory

Abstract

The Internet and social media have facilitated the spread of misinformation and the formation of echo chambers online. These echo chambers may facilitate the adoption of false beliefs and associated costs, but the mechanism of their formation remains a matter of debate. Based on Spiral of Silence Theory, sanctions against opposing views in the form of toxic online behaviour may enable not only the suppression of minority views but also the formation of echo chambers as those with suppressed minority views may attempt to find like-minded individuals who they can safely share their opinions with while avoiding toxic reprisals from those with an opposing view. In the current paper, we introduce the Pro- and Anti-Science Opinions Model (PASOM)—an agent-based model where agents decide between a pro- or anti-science view on a single science-based topic. PASOM uniquely allows agents to choose whether to interact toxically or persuasively. Initial simulations showed that toxic behaviour in the model could push agents into echo chambers and drive agents to adopt strong pro- or anti-science views with most agents in all simulations finishing in an echo chamber. Subsequent simulations demonstrated the importance of toxic behaviour in the outcomes by reducing propensity to behave toxically and sensitivity to toxic behaviour, which resulted in concurrent reductions in echo chamber formation. Finally, simulation outcomes were compared to previously reported social media data and were able to successful reproduce outcomes observed in the empirical data. The various results suggest that toxic behaviour and people’s responses to it may be important factors in the formation of echo chambers and differences between social media platforms and topics.