Sunbelt XXXI International Network for Social Network ... - INSNA

Birds Of The Feather Flock Together 2.0: Is There A Personality Based Homophily?Dolgova, EvgeniaSocial Networks and DemographicsHomophily, Tie‐strength, PersonalityWED.PM1The similarity‐attraction paradigm predicts that people tend to build up relationships with similar others. Abundant evidence exists for homophily (interactionwith similar others) based on age, sex, education, prestige, social class, tenure, function, religion, professional affiliation, and occupation (Brass, 1985;McPherson & Smith‐Lovin, 1987; Ibarra,1992, 1993). However, homophily based on personality traits has not yet been investigated. We suggest that peoplewith similar personality traits would develop stronger relationships that overtime would lead to development of homogeneous cliques. This paper investigatesthe effects of similarity and complimentarity along Five Factor Model personality dimensons on tie strength, cooperation intensity, trust and conflict. 420reciprocal ties among 320 students in workgroups are examined. Controls include age, gender, nationality and familarity. The results extend existing researchon antecedents of network structure by emphasizing the role of personality in social tie formation.Bridging And Clustering In Adolescent Networks: Relationships To Adolescent SmokingLakon, Cynthia M.Social Networks and HealthNetworks And Health, Adolescents, Public HealthFRI.PM1Various structural and positional network characteristics, which may act jointly with peer influences and emotional support transmitted in adolescentfriendship networks, may confer risk or protection for adolescent smoking. Occupying a bridge position in a network may play a critical role in the diffusion ofpeer influence and emotional support in relation to adolescent smoking. Bridge persons can broker influence between densely connected and disparatenetwork regions. As weak ties linking these highly connected areas, bridge persons may facilitate or inhibit the flow of influence and support between thegroups they connect. Clustering is also of interest as individuals who comprise these groups may be homogenous on such key attributes as their substance usebehavior, and exposure to norms and social influence. Hence, the present study examines whether bridging and clustering act synergistically with peerinfluence and emotional support in relation to adolescent cigarette smoking. Using a multilevel modeling approach, this study will utilize data from theNational Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health.