Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

acceptedVersion

Publication Date

1-2017

Abstract

Theorising of negative ties has focused on simplex negative tie networks or multiplex signed tie networks. We examine the fundamental differences between positive and negative tie networks measured on the same set of actors. We test six mechanisms of tie formation on face-to-face positive (affect/esteem) and negative (dislike/disesteem) networks of 282 university students. While popularity, activity, and entrainment are present in both networks, closure, reciprocity, and homophily are largely absent from negative tie networks. We argue this arises because avoidance is inherent to negative sentiments. Avoidance reduces information transfer through negative ties and short-circuits cumulative causation. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Negative ties, Signed ties, Social networks, Closure, Reciprocity, Homophily

Discipline

Social Psychology and Interaction | Sociology of Culture

Research Areas

Sociology

Publication

Social Networks

Volume

48

First Page

126

Last Page

141

ISSN

0378-8733

Identifier

10.1016/j.socnet.2016.07.003

Publisher

Elsevier

Copyright Owner and License

Authors

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socnet.2016.07.003

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