4 Social Networks in Groups Free Online FlashCards

What is a social network?

A pattern of relationships among people or other actors.

How do formal and informal ties differ?

Formal ties come from an organization’s official structure; informal ties emerge through everyday interaction, such as friendship, trust, or advice-seeking.

What characterizes a chain network?

Members mainly communicate with those next to them, so messages can travel slowly and may change as they pass along.

What does network density measure?

Density is the share of possible ties that actually exist in a network.

What role does a broker play in a network?

A broker connects people or subgroups that otherwise have few ties.

What does degree centrality measure?

Degree centrality measures the number of an actor’s direct ties. In directed networks, incoming and outgoing ties can be counted separately.

What can weak ties provide to a group?

Weak ties can connect members to less familiar information or other groups.

In a group network, what are nodes and ties?

Members are the nodes, and their relationships are the ties.

What is a key benefit and risk of a star network?

One central member connects to many others. Coordination can be efficient, but the group may depend heavily on that person.

What defines an all-channel network?

Members communicate broadly with one another. This supports shared participation, but maintaining many connections may take time.

What characterizes a clustered or modular network?

Members form close subgroups with fewer ties between them. Links between clusters can help ideas and information cross group boundaries.

What does network centralization describe?

Centralization is the extent to which ties or influence are concentrated around a few members.