Under-representation of nonhierarchical triads in structural balance model

Presentation Slides (PDF)

Abstract

We introduce an agent-based model integrating structural balance and status, which are prominent theories of signed link formation process. For complete networks, our analytics matches simulations showing continuous or discontinuous phase transition between unbalanced and structurally balanced paradise states. We identify nonhierarchical triads for which principles of status theory are broken.

Extending our analysis to large online and small face-to-face networks, we observe that nonhierarchical triads tend to be under-represented. We reproduce these deviations in our simulations by adjusting, among others, the parameter related to the competition between balance and status. Relating obtained levels of competition with the face-to-face dataset’s characteristics revealed that networks with a higher prevalence of strong relations favor balance, while those with a greater prosociality of agents exhibit higher under-representations, indicating the larger influence of status theory.

Relevant publications