SOC294H1 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Birds Of A Feather, Homophily, Georg Simmel
Document Summary
Birds of a feather: homophily in social networks. In the third grade, for example, shrum et al (1988) observed only two thirds of the cross-race friendships expected by chance. It is not surprising that the networks formed in these settings display a significant amount of baseline homophily on gender: researchers have studied this baseline phenomenon most intensively among upper-level managers and entrepreneurs. Iannaccone reviewed literature differentiating churches and sects, indicating that sects are a more total social environment for their members, spawning a larger proportion of their friendships and social support networks while taking up more of their time. Summary: homophily characterizes network systems, and homogeneity characterizes personal networks, baseline patterns strongly shape networks by influencing the opportunity structure for contacts, both within large populations and within smaller social settings. Causes of homophily: foci of formation, process of tie dissolution.
