Mechanical modeling of friction phenomena in social systems based on friction force

Friction, a force hindering relative motion in physics, also manifests in social systems as diverse conflicts. Rapid globalization and societal transformations have increased the incidence of social friction stemming from resource distribution, cultural clashes, and technological advancements. Recent research has explored various forms of social friction, including those in restaurant selection, smartphone overuse, data sharing, and transportation, highlighting the need for a systematic understanding of its types and structures. By integrating physical laws into social science, this study aims to define social friction, build a social friction force model using principles from friction force and classical mechanics, and analyze its emergence and evolution.

The study reviews existing literature in social physics, emphasizing the application of physical methods to understand complex social issues. Works exploring financial volatility, group conflicts, ethical behavior, and wealth distribution are cited as examples. The literature review also examines previous research on social friction, focusing on its diverse manifestations in social networks, state repression, consumer behavior, interpersonal relationships, data processing, and healthcare. It notes the lack of systematic global analysis on social friction's types and structures, and argues that drawing from natural science paradigms can provide a new methodology for understanding social friction systematically.

Employing grounded theory, the researchers conducted a qualitative analysis of 226 articles (106 Chinese, 120 English) retrieved from the Web of Science and CNKI databases, focusing on social science, humanities, economics, and management science. Three researchers independently coded the data, ensuring reliability. Three levels of coding (initial codes, main categories, and core categories) were used, along with ten interviews with social science experts, to clarify the structural characteristics of social friction phenomena. The analysis resulted in 48 initial codes, 11 main categories, and 3 core codes.

The study identifies a two-dimensional structure of social friction: explicit and implicit. Implicit friction includes interpersonal, cognitive, cultural, information, and technological friction, representing the internal roots of social conflict. Explicit friction encompasses behavioral, migration, economic, and institutional friction, representing the external manifestations. The researchers construct a social friction force model (fs = α·F + ε; Fij = βFps + γFph), where α represents the social friction coefficient, F represents normal force, ε represents random error, Fij represents the force between two interacting elements, β and γ are constants, Fps is mental force, and Fph is physical force. The work done by social friction force (W = ∫₀ᵗ fdt) is defined as "contribution" to society. If W > 0, social friction contributes positively; if W < 0, it contributes negatively. The model shows that when social friction force (fs) is less than the maximum static friction force (fmax) that a society can bear, the friction force is static, mainly manifested as implicit friction, which can positively influence technological innovation and social reform. When fs exceeds fmax, the friction force becomes dynamic, mainly manifesting as explicit friction, potentially leading to negative consequences. The study shows that the interaction and evolution between implicit and explicit social friction significantly influence the overall social development trajectory.

The findings demonstrate the potential of applying mechanics principles to analyze social friction, offering a novel theoretical perspective. The model helps to quantify and explain the emergence and evolution of social friction. The distinction between implicit and explicit friction clarifies the complex nature of social conflicts. The conceptualization of work done by social friction force as "contribution" provides a framework for assessing its positive and negative impact on societal development. The model’s ability to capture both positive and negative aspects of social friction adds to the existing understanding, moving beyond simply considering friction as a barrier.

This study introduces a novel framework for understanding social friction by integrating concepts from physics. The model distinguishes between implicit and explicit friction, providing a nuanced view of social conflict. Future research should focus on refining the model through empirical testing, incorporating more parameters and variables, and conducting quantitative analysis. Further exploration is also needed to investigate the benefits of friction and how to maximize positive while minimizing negative impacts.

The social friction force model, while innovative, is still in its early stages. The current model lacks extensive empirical testing and quantitative analysis using real-world data. The model's parameters need further refinement, and a deeper exploration of the interplay between various types of friction is necessary. Future research should address these limitations to enhance the model’s applicability and predictive power.