Lisa van Amersfoort
SOCIAL NETWORKS
SAMENVATTING
by: Lisa van Amersfoort
2023.04
1
, Lisa van Amersfoort
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Context................................................................................................................................................4
1.1. Focus theory..................................................................................................................................... 4
1.1.1. What is a focus?............................................................................................................................................................. 4
1.1.2. Characteristics of foci:................................................................................................................................................ 4
1.2. Social capital..................................................................................................................................... 4
1.2.1. Characteristics of social capital............................................................................................................................... 5
1.3. trust problem................................................................................................................................... 6
1.3.1. Extending Coleman: reputation systems............................................................................................................. 7
1.4. Spurious effect................................................................................................................................. 7
1.5. Social influence................................................................................................................................ 8
1.5.1. How much do online social networks impact our lives?...............................................................................8
1.5.2. Revolution in sociological data:.............................................................................................................................. 8
2. Networks..........................................................................................................................................10
2.1. Network structure........................................................................................................................ 10
2.1.1. Ties.................................................................................................................................................................................. 10
2.1.2. Affiliation networks.................................................................................................................................................. 11
2.1.3. Multiplex networks................................................................................................................................................... 12
2.1.4. Forms of network structures................................................................................................................................ 13
2.2. Characteristics of networks....................................................................................................... 15
2.2.1. Complete vs. Ego network...................................................................................................................................... 15
2.2.2. Bridges in networks.................................................................................................................................................. 16
2.2.3. Strength of ties in a network................................................................................................................................. 17
2.3. Centrality in networks................................................................................................................ 18
2.3.1. Centrality in interlocking networks................................................................................................................... 19
2.3.2. Centrality in brokerage/ exchange networks................................................................................................. 19
2.4. Triads............................................................................................................................................... 23
2.4.1. Balance theory............................................................................................................................................................ 23
2.4.2. Open triads and closed triads............................................................................................................................... 25
2.5. Structural holes............................................................................................................................. 25
2.5.1. Network entrepreneurs.......................................................................................................................................... 26
2.6. Contagion........................................................................................................................................ 27
2.6.1. Behavior spreading................................................................................................................................................... 27
2.7. Social hierarchies......................................................................................................................... 28
2.7.1. Chase et al: Linear hierarchies.............................................................................................................................. 29
2.7.2. Savin-Williams: Personal characteristics on hierarchies...........................................................................29
2.7.3. Conclusion social hierarchies................................................................................................................................ 30
2.8. Negative networks........................................................................................................................ 30
2.8.1. Foes at work................................................................................................................................................................. 31
2.8.2. Properties of positive and negative networks................................................................................................ 31
2.8.3. Status struggles........................................................................................................................................................... 32
2
, Lisa van Amersfoort
2.9. Criminal networks........................................................................................................................ 33
2.9.1. Key player problem................................................................................................................................................... 33
2.9.2. Content in criminal network................................................................................................................................. 35
2.9.3. Skills in the criminal network: combining structure and content..........................................................36
Appendix..............................................................................................................................................38
How to calculate threats and offers exchange network............................................................38
How to calculate pathlength and clustering................................................................................. 39
3
, Lisa van Amersfoort
1. Context
How do ties emerge?
The context in which interactions take place
I.e.: Between two countries, organizations, apartments
(any kind of relationship (positive/negative/advice/friendship/friends/gossip/avoidance))
1.1. Focus theory
1.1.1. What is a focus?
A focus is defined as a social, psychological, legal, or physical entity around which joint
activities are organized (those around the same foci will tend to become interpersonally tied
and form a cluster)
I.e.: neighborhood, sports club, student housing, old school
If you share the same focus, they tend to become related to one another
If you have a tie with someone you tend to organize activities thus creating a
focus (birthday)
Thus: networks emerge within foci and across foci that are shared by individuals.
Based on controlled interaction (focus) certain attributes may lead to selective
development of ties (preferences)
I.e.: you have to be in the same class (focus) but friends within that class (preferences)
➢ Focus theory (theory of the emergence)
It’s not about whom you interact with its about who you have the chance to
interact with.
1.1.2. Characteristics of foci:
Restrictions: degree of forced interaction; time spent; compatibility with other foci
Size:
Degree of local boundedness: (bepaalde wijk —> bepaalde basisschool vs.
Universiteit)
Degree to which boundaries exist: (exam —> entrance university/course)
Foci can overlap: if people work in their neighborhood
1.2. Social capital
Why do we engage in the relationships in the first place?
4
SOCIAL NETWORKS
SAMENVATTING
by: Lisa van Amersfoort
2023.04
1
, Lisa van Amersfoort
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Context................................................................................................................................................4
1.1. Focus theory..................................................................................................................................... 4
1.1.1. What is a focus?............................................................................................................................................................. 4
1.1.2. Characteristics of foci:................................................................................................................................................ 4
1.2. Social capital..................................................................................................................................... 4
1.2.1. Characteristics of social capital............................................................................................................................... 5
1.3. trust problem................................................................................................................................... 6
1.3.1. Extending Coleman: reputation systems............................................................................................................. 7
1.4. Spurious effect................................................................................................................................. 7
1.5. Social influence................................................................................................................................ 8
1.5.1. How much do online social networks impact our lives?...............................................................................8
1.5.2. Revolution in sociological data:.............................................................................................................................. 8
2. Networks..........................................................................................................................................10
2.1. Network structure........................................................................................................................ 10
2.1.1. Ties.................................................................................................................................................................................. 10
2.1.2. Affiliation networks.................................................................................................................................................. 11
2.1.3. Multiplex networks................................................................................................................................................... 12
2.1.4. Forms of network structures................................................................................................................................ 13
2.2. Characteristics of networks....................................................................................................... 15
2.2.1. Complete vs. Ego network...................................................................................................................................... 15
2.2.2. Bridges in networks.................................................................................................................................................. 16
2.2.3. Strength of ties in a network................................................................................................................................. 17
2.3. Centrality in networks................................................................................................................ 18
2.3.1. Centrality in interlocking networks................................................................................................................... 19
2.3.2. Centrality in brokerage/ exchange networks................................................................................................. 19
2.4. Triads............................................................................................................................................... 23
2.4.1. Balance theory............................................................................................................................................................ 23
2.4.2. Open triads and closed triads............................................................................................................................... 25
2.5. Structural holes............................................................................................................................. 25
2.5.1. Network entrepreneurs.......................................................................................................................................... 26
2.6. Contagion........................................................................................................................................ 27
2.6.1. Behavior spreading................................................................................................................................................... 27
2.7. Social hierarchies......................................................................................................................... 28
2.7.1. Chase et al: Linear hierarchies.............................................................................................................................. 29
2.7.2. Savin-Williams: Personal characteristics on hierarchies...........................................................................29
2.7.3. Conclusion social hierarchies................................................................................................................................ 30
2.8. Negative networks........................................................................................................................ 30
2.8.1. Foes at work................................................................................................................................................................. 31
2.8.2. Properties of positive and negative networks................................................................................................ 31
2.8.3. Status struggles........................................................................................................................................................... 32
2
, Lisa van Amersfoort
2.9. Criminal networks........................................................................................................................ 33
2.9.1. Key player problem................................................................................................................................................... 33
2.9.2. Content in criminal network................................................................................................................................. 35
2.9.3. Skills in the criminal network: combining structure and content..........................................................36
Appendix..............................................................................................................................................38
How to calculate threats and offers exchange network............................................................38
How to calculate pathlength and clustering................................................................................. 39
3
, Lisa van Amersfoort
1. Context
How do ties emerge?
The context in which interactions take place
I.e.: Between two countries, organizations, apartments
(any kind of relationship (positive/negative/advice/friendship/friends/gossip/avoidance))
1.1. Focus theory
1.1.1. What is a focus?
A focus is defined as a social, psychological, legal, or physical entity around which joint
activities are organized (those around the same foci will tend to become interpersonally tied
and form a cluster)
I.e.: neighborhood, sports club, student housing, old school
If you share the same focus, they tend to become related to one another
If you have a tie with someone you tend to organize activities thus creating a
focus (birthday)
Thus: networks emerge within foci and across foci that are shared by individuals.
Based on controlled interaction (focus) certain attributes may lead to selective
development of ties (preferences)
I.e.: you have to be in the same class (focus) but friends within that class (preferences)
➢ Focus theory (theory of the emergence)
It’s not about whom you interact with its about who you have the chance to
interact with.
1.1.2. Characteristics of foci:
Restrictions: degree of forced interaction; time spent; compatibility with other foci
Size:
Degree of local boundedness: (bepaalde wijk —> bepaalde basisschool vs.
Universiteit)
Degree to which boundaries exist: (exam —> entrance university/course)
Foci can overlap: if people work in their neighborhood
1.2. Social capital
Why do we engage in the relationships in the first place?
4
