Cognitive Modelling of Emotion Contagion in a Crowd of Soccer Supporter Agents

This paper introduces a cognitive computational model of emotion contagion in a crowd of soccer supporters. It is useful for: (1) better understanding of the emotion contagion processes and (2) further development into a predictive and advising application for soccer stadium managers to enhance and improve the ambiance during the soccer game for safety or economic reasons. The model is neurologically grounded and focuses on the emotions “pleasure” and “sadness”. Structured simulations showed the following four emergent patterns of emotion contagion: (1) hooligans are very impulsive and are not fully open for other emotions, (2) fanatic supporters are very impulsive and open for other emotions, (3) family members are very easily influenced and are not very extravert, (4) the media is less sensible to the ambiance in the stadium. For validation of the model, the model outcomes were compared to the heart rate of 100 supporters and reported emotions. The model produced similar heart rate and emotional patterns. Further implications of the model are discussed.