Difference between an Actor Network and a Social Network

Question 1

What are the main features of Social Network theory? (3)

Answer 1

1. Based on relationships
2. Uses Network Analysis and mathematical graph theory
3. Networks have weak and strong ties

Question 2

What does Social Network theory aim to do?

Answer 2

uncover how ‘things’ are moved around a pattern of relationships between actors

Question 3

What does Social Network theory assume?

Answer 3

there is a ‘context’ for the social world

Question 4

What are the main features of Actor Network theory? (3)

Answer 4

1. Actors/actants are constituted within the network
2. Identity comes from interrelations
3. produce effects and changes, sometimes new states or new beings

Question 5

What are the main differences between Actor Network and a Social Network?

Answer 5

Social network more concerned with transportation

Actor network more concerned with transformation – not the same as mapping in social network

Question 6

Explain the transportation vs transformation theory

Answer 6

Transportation: The transmission of knowledge and relational behaviours

Transformation: using networks creates new states/beings – scallops

Question 7

What is a controversial difference in the two theories?

Answer 7

In Actor Network, actors are not necessarily people (technology, microbes, organisations)

Question 8

What are the two similarities between the two theories?

Answer 8

1. Both see actors as emergent from relationships

2. Both see meaning as an activity emerging from connections/disconnections