Networks in small groups

Much of our lives are lived in the context of small groups

• Families
• Class groups
• Roommates
• Friendship groups
• Work groups
• Volunteer organizations

Lots of network theories relate to the structure of small groups

• Triadic closure
• Reciprocity
• Homophily

Research has also focused on what makes groups effective at meeting their goals

• Which network do you think would be most effective?

It depends on the task!

• Centralization is beneficial for simple tasks
• Decentralization is beneficial for complex tasks or when information is scattered
• Rings are pretty bad no matter what :)

Communication isn’t usually determined from on high

• Communication networks both represent and enable patterns of communication

Why do edges exist in small groups?

• Social capital
• Social exchange
• Collective action
• Transactive memory
  • Know who knows what
  • Knowledge is passed through communication

In general, “integrative” groups perform better at complex tasks

• Low hierarchy
• Small periphery

• In these groups, people are:
  • Coordinated
  • Motivated

Groups are embedded

• Work group vs. school assignment, etc.
• People are also embedded in different groups
• Tricky but important to consider the influence of environment