Supple Networks: Preferential Attachment by Diversity in Nascent Social Graphs

JAMESON K. M. WATTS and KENNETH W. KOPUT Supple networks: Preferential attachment by diversity in nascent social graphs. Network Science, Available on CJO 2014 doi:10.1017/ nws.2014.21

24 Pages Posted: 6 Apr 2014 Last revised: 15 Nov 2014

See all articles by Jameson K. M. Watts

Jameson K. M. Watts

Willamette University

Kenneth W. Koput

University of Arizona - Eller College of Management

Date Written: April 3, 2014

Abstract

A preference for diversity has been identified as an important predictor of tie formation in certain networks, both social and organizational, that also exhibit a high degree of suppleness – the ability to retain their general form and character under stress (Durkheim, 1893/1997; Powell et al., 1996; Powell et al., 2005; Koput & Gutek, 2010). Extant models of preferential attachment, based on popularity, similarity, and cohesion, meanwhile, produce exceedingly brittle networks (Albert et al., 2000; Callaway et al., 2000; Holme et al., 2002; Shore et al., 2013). A model of preferential attachment based on diversity is introduced and simulated, demonstrating that a preference for diversity can create a structure characterized by suppleness. This occurs because a preference for diversity promotes overlapping and redundant weak ties during the early stages of network formation.

Keywords: social networks, complex networks, diversity, resilience, preferential attachment

JEL Classification: L00

Suggested Citation

Watts, Jameson K. M. and Koput, Kenneth W., Supple Networks: Preferential Attachment by Diversity in Nascent Social Graphs (April 3, 2014). JAMESON K. M. WATTS and KENNETH W. KOPUT Supple networks: Preferential attachment by diversity in nascent social graphs. Network Science, Available on CJO 2014 doi:10.1017/ nws.2014.21, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2420764 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2420764

Jameson K. M. Watts (Contact Author)

Willamette University ( email )

900 State Street
Salem, OR 97301
United States

Kenneth W. Koput

University of Arizona - Eller College of Management ( email )

McClelland Hall
P.O. Box 210108
Tucson, AZ 85721-0108
United States

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