Cooperative and competitive hyperorder interactions nonlinearly reshape the collective dynamics in complex networks
Phys. Rev. E 113, 054308 – Published 18 May, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/zzn7-mn56
Abstract
Higher-order interactions have recently emerged as key determinants of collective dynamics in complex networks, driving phenomena such as synchronization and multistability. However, how different higher-order groups interact and jointly shape global behavior remains poorly understood. Here, we introduce the model of hyperorder interactions (HpOI), a framework that captures competitive and cooperative couplings between higher-order groups. Using numerical simulations of real-world networks (neural, social, and natural systems) and theoretical analysis based on the Ott-Antonsen method, we reveal a nonmonotonic effect of HpOI on synchronization stability. Cooperative HpOI consistently enlarges the synchronization region. By contrast, the effect of competitive HpOI depends on the overlap among higher-order groups: under low overlap, strong competition can also enhance synchronization stability, whereas under high overlap, it suppresses global synchronization. This work incorporates coupling between higher-order groups into higher-order networks and provides insights into structure-function coupling within real-world systems.
Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)
- Bifurcations
- Dynamics of networks
- Network phase transitions
- Synchronization
- Synchronization transition
- Biological networks
- Biological neural networks
- Collective dynamics
- Coupled oscillators
- Real world networks
- Scale free & inhomogeneous networks
- Small-world networks
- Social networks
- Stochastic networks
- Kuramoto model
- Phase oscillator models