More connections, greater social polarization? WUT researchers' publication

Their paper, "More Connections, Higher Polarization: The Role of Weak Ties and Status-Driven Dynamics," published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), contributes to the ongoing scientific debate on the processes underlying social divisions and polarization. The study builds upon earlier research by Prof. Stefan Thurner and colleagues from the Medical University of Vienna, the Complexity Science Hub Vienna, and the Santa Fe Institute, entitled "Why More Social Interactions Lead to More Polarization in Societies." That work proposed that an increase in social interactions could lead to greater polarization. One of its key assumptions was that the widespread adoption of social media and smartphones had increased the number of close friendships in Western societies. However, this assumption has been questioned by social scientists, who argue that the available empirical evidence does not clearly support such an increase.

In their new study, Dr. Górski and Prof. Hołyst demonstrate that while the growing number of interpersonal contacts enabled by modern communication technologies may indeed contribute to greater polarization, the underlying mechanism does not necessarily depend on an increase in close friendships. Instead, weaker social ties appear to play a more significant role, as they are more likely to foster hierarchical structures shaped by social status.

The researchers analysed empirical data from approximately 30 social networks and employed a calibrated agent-based model to simulate individual behaviour and social interactions. Their findings suggest a plausible pathway to polarization: as weaker ties become more prevalent, status-related mechanisms gain importance, reinforcing social divisions. In other words, not every additional social connection has the same effect. Whether a relationship represents a close friendship or a weaker acquaintance may determine which social mechanisms dominate the evolution of society.

The study demonstrates that understanding social polarization requires more than simply counting interpersonal connections. It is equally important to consider the strength and nature of those relationships. More social contacts do not necessarily translate into greater social cohesion; much depends on whether they are close, supportive relationships or weaker acquaintances. According to the authors, it is these weaker ties that amplify status-related dynamics and, in turn, contribute to increasing social polarization.