Model for simulating mechanisms responsible of similarities between people connected in networks of social relations

Abstract

It the literature have been identified three social mechanisms explaining the similarity between people connected in the network of social relations homophily, confounding and social contagion. The article proposes a simple model for simulating mechanisms responsible for similarity of attitudes in networks of social relations; along with a measure that is able to indicate which of the three mechanisms has taken major role in the process.

Working paper, presented and discussed on The 3rd International Conference on Social Informatics SocInfo, Singapore Management University, Singapore, 06-08.10.2011