Abstract
In many social networks, there is a high correlation between the similarity of actors and the existence of relationships between them. This paper introduces a model of network evolution where actors are assumed to have a small aversion from being connected to others who are dissimilar to themselves, and yet no actor strictly prefers a segregated network. This model is motivated by Schelling's [Schelling TC (1969) Models of segregation. Am Econ Rev 59:488-493] classic model of residential segregation, and we show that Schelling's results also apply to the structure of networks; namely, segregated networks always emerge regardless of the level of aversion. In addition, we prove analytically that attribute similarity among connected network actors always reaches a stationary distribution, and this distribution is independent of network topology and the level of aversion bias. This research provides a basis for more complex models of social interaction that are driven in part by the underlying attributes of network actors and helps advance our understanding of why dysfunctional social network structures may emerge.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 8605-8610 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America |
| Volume | 108 |
| Issue number | 21 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - May 24 2011 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General
Cite this
Emergence of segregation in evolving social networks. / Henry, Adam D; Prałat, Paweł; Zhang, Cun Quan.
In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, Vol. 108, No. 21, 24.05.2011, p. 8605-8610.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Emergence of segregation in evolving social networks
AU - Henry, Adam D
AU - Prałat, Paweł
AU - Zhang, Cun Quan
PY - 2011/5/24
Y1 - 2011/5/24
N2 - In many social networks, there is a high correlation between the similarity of actors and the existence of relationships between them. This paper introduces a model of network evolution where actors are assumed to have a small aversion from being connected to others who are dissimilar to themselves, and yet no actor strictly prefers a segregated network. This model is motivated by Schelling's [Schelling TC (1969) Models of segregation. Am Econ Rev 59:488-493] classic model of residential segregation, and we show that Schelling's results also apply to the structure of networks; namely, segregated networks always emerge regardless of the level of aversion. In addition, we prove analytically that attribute similarity among connected network actors always reaches a stationary distribution, and this distribution is independent of network topology and the level of aversion bias. This research provides a basis for more complex models of social interaction that are driven in part by the underlying attributes of network actors and helps advance our understanding of why dysfunctional social network structures may emerge.
AB - In many social networks, there is a high correlation between the similarity of actors and the existence of relationships between them. This paper introduces a model of network evolution where actors are assumed to have a small aversion from being connected to others who are dissimilar to themselves, and yet no actor strictly prefers a segregated network. This model is motivated by Schelling's [Schelling TC (1969) Models of segregation. Am Econ Rev 59:488-493] classic model of residential segregation, and we show that Schelling's results also apply to the structure of networks; namely, segregated networks always emerge regardless of the level of aversion. In addition, we prove analytically that attribute similarity among connected network actors always reaches a stationary distribution, and this distribution is independent of network topology and the level of aversion bias. This research provides a basis for more complex models of social interaction that are driven in part by the underlying attributes of network actors and helps advance our understanding of why dysfunctional social network structures may emerge.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=79957762906&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=79957762906&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1073/pnas.1014486108
DO - 10.1073/pnas.1014486108
M3 - Article
C2 - 21551098
AN - SCOPUS:79957762906
VL - 108
SP - 8605
EP - 8610
JO - Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
JF - Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
SN - 0027-8424
IS - 21
ER -