Social polarization promoted by sparse higher-order interactions

Pérez-Martínez, Hugo (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Lamata-Otín, Santiago (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Malizia, Federico ; Floría, Luis Mario (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Gómez-Gardeñes, Jesús (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Soriano-Paños, David

Resumen: Many social interactions are group-based, yet their role in social polarization remains largely unexplored. To bridge this gap here we introduce a higher-order framework that takes into account both group interactions and homophily. We find that group interactions can strongly enhance polarization in sparse systems by limiting agents’ exposure to dissenting views. Conversely, they can suppress polarization in fully connected societies, an effect that intensifies as the group size increases. Our results highlight that polarization depends not only on the homophily strength but also on the structure and microscopic arrangement of group interactions.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1038/s42005-025-02413-6

Año: 2025

Publicado en: Communications Physics 8, 507 (2025), 1-8
ISSN: 2399-3650

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/E36-23R-FENOL
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MICINN/PID2020-113582GB-I00
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MICINN/PID2021-128005NB-C21
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MICINN/PID2023-147734NB-I00

Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)

Área (Departamento): Área Física Materia Condensada (Dpto. Física Materia Condensa.)