Social Network Theory, Diffusion of Innovations & social support

What are the three main components of social network theory?

1. People or actors take actions based on their network environment

2. A persons’s position in a network influences their behaviors

3. Networks have structure, and these network properties influence system performance

What is Homophily?

Is the tendency of individuals to associate with people similar to themselves

What are the position types in social network theory?

• Central: prominent position in the network

• Bridging: connects otherwise disconnected groups

• peripheral: individuals free from social norms

What is reciprocity?

Indications of trusting relationship and a cohesive network

What is transitivity?

• Friends of friends become friends

• Dense pockets of interconnectedness accelerates behavior change within clusters and slows it between clusters

What is Centralization?

• Extent that ties are focused around one or a few nodes

• Central hubs can coordinate activities for the network

What is density?

• Number of links in the network

• Too much density can hinder network performance

What are the phase of research and implementation?

1. Basic Research

2. Applied Research

3. Development

4. Commercialization

5. Diffusion

6. Consequences

What is the Diffusion of Innovations?

Innovation is an idea that is perceived as new and diffusion is the process by which the innovation is communicated through certain channels over time among the members of a social system.

What are things that influence the diffusion process?

• Characteristics of the innovation

• characteristics of the people who are deciding whether to adopt it

What are the categories of adopters?

• Innovators

• early adopters

• early majority adopters

• late majority adopters

• laggards

What are some characteristics of successful innovations?

• Relative advantage

• compatibility

• complexity

• Trialbility

• observability 

What impact on social relations does the innovation have?

• Reversibility

• communicability

• time required

• risk and uncertainty level

• commitment required

• modifiability

What is social support?

Resources provided by a social network and intended to benefit a person’s ability to cope with stress.

What are types of social support?

• Instrumental (Tangible help)

• Informational (guidance)

• Emotional (Empathy, care)

What is social integration?

• involvement with a variety of social relationships

• behavioral component (Participation)

• cognitive component (sense of belonging)

What is a negative interaction?

• conflict and loneliness

How does social support impact our health?

• Social connectedness is beneficial regardless of stress levels

• Social integration may

  • influence health behaviors

  • promote feels of responsibility

  • influence sense of self and emotional tone

What is stress-buffering?

An interaction between stress and social support, those with high levels of support experience fewer ill-effects of stress.

How can social environments be negative for health

• Mode of contact for the spread of disease

• opportunity for conflict, exploitation, stress

• violent neighborhoods/crime

How can social isolation impact one’s health?

• Increased negative affect, depression, anxiety

• decreased health bevario performance

What is sociability?

The quality of seeking others and being agreeable