Information diffusion on microblogs: testing threshold hypothesis of interpersonal effects

Abstract

In light of both threshold models and the J-curve model of information diffusion, this present study reformulates the threshold hypothesis for interpersonal effects. Using an information diffusion data on Sina Weibo, the findings confirm the threshold hypothesis of interpersonal effects. To be specific, for the information of public interest, interpersonal effects have a positive influence on the size of information diffusion; while for the information of personal interest, interpersonal effects have a negative effect on the size of information diffusion. Further, the depth of diffusion networks is limited, and the temporal diffusion curves are featured by strong bursts. Thus, information diffusion on microblogs is primarily driven by a number of influential nodes and featured by a large temporality. In all, this research extends the threshold model of interpersonal effects by linking it with the J-curve model.