Individual heterogeneity generates explosive system network dynamics

TL;DR

This paper investigates how individual differences influence the collective dynamics of networks, revealing that heterogeneity can lead to explosive behaviors and affect polarization and consensus formation.

Contribution

It introduces a model demonstrating the impact of individual heterogeneity on network evolution, aligning with biological and social data.

Findings

Heterogeneity can cause explosive network behavior.

Heterogeneity influences polarization and consensus.

Model matches data from biological and social systems.

Abstract

Individual heterogeneity is a key characteristic of many real-world systems, from organisms to humans. However its role in determining the system's collective dynamics is typically not well understood. Here we study how individual heterogeneity impacts the system network dynamics by comparing linking mechanisms that favor similar or dissimilar individuals. We find that this heterogeneity-based evolution can drive explosive network behavior and dictates how a polarized population moves toward consensus. Our model shows good agreement with data from both biological and social science domains. We conclude that individual heterogeneity likely plays a key role in the collective development of real-world networks and communities, and cannot be ignored.