Derivation of Subgroups from Dyadic Interactions
Psychological Bulletin, 1990, Vol. 107, No. 1, 114-132
19 Pages Posted: 19 Nov 2015 Last revised: 19 Feb 2016
Date Written: 1990
Abstract
This article presents a simulation study that compares several methods for deriving empirical subgroups from sociometric data. The Monte Carlo study was used to investigate how well the methods recovered the subgroup structure that had been built into the actors' and partners' modes. Forty eight sociomatrices were generated using 2 to the power 4 X 3 factorial design. The factors included the number of individuals in the network, the true number of subgroups into which the individuals were classified, the proportion of individuals falling into each of the subgroups, the structure of the dyadic interactions, and the clarity of the subgroup structure. On the basis of the simulation study's results, subgroups were derived for two real data sets. The first data set described the relations in a monastery (Sampson, 1968). The second data set described the referral network of a service provider (Reingen & Kernan, 1986).
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