Social Influence Network Theory

A Sociological Examination of Small Group Dynamics

Noah E. Friedkin, Eugene C. Johnsen

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Year: 2011
• Print ISBN:
  9781107002463
• eBook ISBN:
  9781139065696
• Topic: Social Sciences
• Subtopic: Sociology
• Index: Social Sciences

Social influence network theory presents a mathematical formalization of the social process of attitude changes that unfolds in a social network of interpersonal influences. This book brings the theory to bear on lines of research in the domain of small group dynamics concerned with changes of group members' positions on an issue, including the formation of consensus and of settled disagreement, via endogenous interpersonal influences, in which group members are responding to the displayed positions of the members of the group. Social influence network theory advances a dynamic social cognition mechanism, in which individuals are weighing and combining their own and others' positions on an issue in the revision of their own positions. The influence network construct of the theory is the social structure of the endogenous interpersonal influences that are involved in this mechanism. With this theory, the authors seek to lay the foundation for a better formal integration of classical and current lines of work on small groups in psychological and sociological social psychology.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half-title
• Series-title
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• List of Tables and Figures
• Acknowledgments
• Preface
• Part I: Introduction
• Part II: Influence Network Perspective on Small Groups
• Part III: Linkages with Other Formal Models
• Epilogue
• Appendix A: Fundamental Constructs and Equations
• Appendix B: Total Influnces and Equilibrium
• Appendix C: Formal Analysis of Dyadic Influence Systems
• Appendix D: Social Positions in Influence Networks
• Appendix E: Goldberg’s Index of Proportional Conformity
• Appendix F: Gender-Homophilous Small Groups
• References
• Index