Energy cost bounded estimates for controlling complex social networks with conformity behavior

In order to understand controlling a complex system, an estimation of the required effort needed to achieve control is vital. Previous works have addressed this issue by studying the scaling laws of energy cost in a general way with continuous-time dynamics. However, continuous-time modelling is unable to capture conformity behavior, which is common in many complex social systems. Therefore, to understand controlling social systems with conformity, discrete-time modelling is used and the energy cost scaling laws are derived. The results are validated numerically with model and real networks. In addition, it is shown through simulations that heterogeneous scale-free networks are less controllable, requiring a higher number of minimum drivers. Since conformity-based model relates to various complex systems, such as flocking, or evolutionary games, the results of this paper represent a step forward towards developing realistic control of complex social systems.