The emergence of groups in the evolution of friendship networks

Friendship networks usually show a certain degree of segmentation: subgroups of friends. The explanation of the emergence of such groups from initially dyadic pair friendships is a difficult but important problem. In this paper we attempt to provide a first contribution to the explanation of subgroup formation in friendship networks by using the LS set as a definition for a friendship group. We construct a dynamic individual oriented model of friendship formation and provide preliminary simulation results that give an idea of how to continue the process of explaining group formation.

Notes

We are indebted to Tom Snijders, Tom Fararo, and Patrick Doreian for fruitful comments on earlier versions of this manuscript.