Social Network

Question 1

Social Network Analysis

Answer 1

focuses on the social connections as if they are on a map. it helps us to map out social connections, observe patterns and understand how societies function. The basic perspective of network analysis is based on graph theory.

Question 2

Central people vs. edge people

Answer 2

some people/groups are very central, meaning they’re connected to a lot of others. Others might be on the edges, not connected to many others. it helps us understand, how info, ideas or even things like diseases can spread thru networks, how communities form and evolve, how ideas spread and how power dynamics work within groups.

Question 3

node

Answer 3

each person, idea or organization represented by node or vertex

Question 4

edges/links/ties

Answer 4

relationships or connections represented by lines

Question 5

nodes and edges

Answer 5

singletons (nodes have no edges)
DYAD (has two nodes)
TRIAD (has a group of 3 nodes)

Question 6

connector hubs

Answer 6

have diverse connections

Question 7

gatekeeper

Answer 7

node with advantage of access to another cluster

Question 8

bridge

Answer 8

embedded as part of two clusters and unites them

Question 9

isolate

Answer 9

node with no or few connections

Question 10

Three most widely measures are

Answer 10

Degree, closeness, betweenness
identifying a nod we can measure it by calculating centrality. centrality describes how important a node in a particular network

Question 11

Degree centrality measured by numbers of connections or number of edges

Answer 11

higher the degree, more central the node.

Question 12

closeness centrality

Answer 12

closeness centrality measures how close a node is to all other nodes in the network it is defined as the reciprocal of the average shortest path distance from a node to all other nodes in the network
purpose: it indicates how quickly info can spread from a node to all others, as a node with high closeness centrality can reach others faster due to shorter path distances.

Question 13

betweenness centrality

Answer 13

betweenness centrality measures the extent to which a node lies on the shortest paths between other nodes in the network. It is a measure of how much a node acts as a bridge or gatekeeper between other nodes.
Purpose: it highlights nodes that control info flow within the network. Nodes with high betweenness centrality can influence or mediate communication between other nodes.

Question 14

centralized vs decentralized

Answer 14

a network is centralized if there are only one or two people with a lot of connections and hence a lot of power in the network. A network is decentralized if most of the people are connected to most of the other people.

Question 15

high clustering vs low clustering

Answer 15

clustering refers to the tendency of nodes in a network to form tightly-knit groups or clusters, where many of the nodes are directly connected to one another. The clustering coefficient measures the degree to which nodes in a network tend to cluster together.

Question 16

It’s a small world phenomenon

Answer 16

the world today feels like a “global village” where the concept of six degrees of separation suggests any two people are connected by 6 or fewer links. With digital technologies shrinking distances, that separation is likely now just 2 or 3 degrees.

Question 17

network theory

Answer 17

a powerful tool for understanding media dynamics, providing insights into; information flow: explains how information spreads across social media networks, crucial for effectively disseminating information, shaping opinions and mobilizing communities.
Social capital: refers to resources within social networks– such as trust, reciprocity, and support that social media enhances by building connections, fostering relationships, and encouraging cooperation.
weak and strong ties: social media facilitates weak ties by connecting people with diverse backgrounds, and interests while also strengthening strong ties through frequent communication and interaction among close connections.

Question 18

Dunbars Theory

Answer 18

robin dunbar describes how weak ties provide resources that we often don’t get in a tightly bonded community. According to the theory: the tightest circle has just 5 people- loved ones, followed by successive layers of 15 (good friends), 50 (friends), 150 (meaningful contacts), 500 (acquaintances), 1500 (people you can recognize), people migrate in and out of these layers, but the idea is that space has to be carved out for any new entrants.