Social Network Theory

Refugees reveal hidden trauma of life in the UK

Ground-breaking study finds immigrants face a host of hurdles in the workforce

UN Women report finds online violence and deepfakes drive women from public life

A new UN Women report reveals that online violence and deepfakes are pushing women out of public life, with alarming rates of mental health diagnoses and self-censorship. The study also found that law enforcement is often failing to provide justice for survivors, highlighting the need for effective education and training.

How a free flow of information can amplify incorrect ideas

Simulations by a team of scientists show that unrestricted information sharing can lead to less accurate collective beliefs, particularly in socially homogenous settings. This phenomenon is driven by homophily and the amplification of erroneous ideas within groups.

Bibliometric mapping reveals the evolution of glioma classification research

A new review analyzes how glioma classification research has evolved across clinical, molecular, and social domains. The study highlights the prominent role of DNA methylation profiling and advanced imaging techniques in molecular biomarker-based classification models, while finding social factors to be relatively scarce.

Your social media feed is built to agree with you. What if it didn’t?

A new study from the University of Rochester found that social media algorithms can reinforce echo chambers, but introducing randomness can help reduce this effect. By exposing users to a broader range of perspectives, algorithms can weaken feedback loops and promote more open-minded views.

How we decide when to shut out information and when to insist on knowing it all

A new study by Tel Aviv University researchers uncovers the psychology behind seeking or avoiding information, revealing a common emotional mechanism. The findings suggest that both behaviors stem from regulating emotions and managing psychological overload, rather than moral responsibility.

Elites wield huge influence over deepening polarisation –– now we can tell how much

A study from Aalto University found that just a handful of influential voices can drive dramatic societal rifts, with an elite cluster accounting for a striking share of overall polarisation. Alignment among elites has also become increasingly complete, leading to political gridlock and regression in individual and societal well-being.

West Coast mammal-eating killer whales are two distinct communities that rarely mix

Research reveals West Coast transient killer whales are two distinct subpopulations, differing in diet, hunting grounds and social behavior. The inner coast transients are expert navigators of nearshore inlets, while the outer coast whales thrive in deep canyons and rugged underwater terrain.

Researchers find possible cause for increasing polarization

Increasing polarization and growing social connections have led researchers to discover a fundamental explanation. A study published in PNAS found that more close friends and denser social networks can lead to increased conflict and societal polarization.

Ideological polarization and the spread of biased or fake news on Facebook are on the rise, according to a study by the UPF

A study by UPF analyzed 6 million news-related URLs from US media shared on Facebook between 2017 and 2020. The research found that algorithm changes and user behavior contributed to the spread of biased or fake news, exacerbating ideological polarization.

Loneliness in U.S. adults linked with amount, frequency of social media use

A study by Oregon State University found that social media use is correlated with loneliness among US adults, including those aged 30-70. Frequent and extended periods of social media use were associated with increased feelings of loneliness.

There is a hidden simplicity behind how people move

The study reveals that when physical constraints are removed, human mobility follows a power-law pattern, decreasing steadily with distance. The researchers found this pattern across five orders of magnitude, from 10 meters to hundreds of kilometers.

Networks of long-distance female friends help gorillas move between groups

Female gorillas avoid groups with males they grew up with and instead seek out familiar females, highlighting the importance of social relationships in dispersal decisions. The study reveals that investing in these relationships can be crucial for cooperation within groups.

Clear understanding of social connections propels strivers up the social ladder

Researchers found that people in positions of influence have a strong understanding of the structure of their communities and cliques. This knowledge enables them to navigate their social networks effectively and rise through the ranks.

Concordia researchers examine the triumph of social media animal content

Concordia researchers find that sharing animal photos and videos creates digital affective networks, fostering parasocial relationships and positive interactions. The study explores the phenomenon of sharing cute content, using a framework to explain its journey from creation to circulation on social media platforms.

Mizzou scientists create geochemical fingerprints

Scientists use modern technology to analyze ancient ochre samples, revealing the material's origin and history. This helps them understand how human cognition and social networks developed alongside early technological innovations.

Women at risk of ‘digital overload’ – new research reveals

A new study by Lancaster University highlights that women are more likely than men to experience 'digital overload' and burnout due to their greater use of digital technologies in both work and family lives. The research emphasizes the need for gender-egalitarian work-from-home arrangements and policies to address this issue.

Analogies for modeling belief dynamics

Several common analogies used to model belief dynamics are examined for their conceptual mileage and baggage. The authors argue that while these analogies can provide useful concepts and methodologies, they have limitations and can lead to inaccurate inferences. To construct accurate models, researchers should consider multiple sources...

New "disembodied disconnect hypothesis" offers fresh perspective on digital technology's impact on social interaction

A new study introduces a novel hypothesis that digital technologies affect human sociality and mental health, particularly among youth. The Disembodied Disconnect Hypothesis suggests cultivating rich personal relationships in face-to-face communities to counterbalance disembodied digital interactions.

Peers crucial in shaping boys’ confidence in math skills

A study from the University of Zurich found that peer relationships play a crucial role in shaping math confidence in boys, while girls' subjective evaluations are more driven by objective performance. The study suggests that math skills are more important to boys and their self-assessment is influenced by social processes.

Open creativity: Increased creativity due to network relationships

This study shows that network relationships in coworking environments increase creativity through weak ties and infrequent connections with individuals from different backgrounds. The findings suggest that collaborative spaces can expand individuals' creativity by facilitating the exchange of experiences and visions.

Unlike men, for professional women, having high-status connections can backfire

Women with high-status contacts actually lose status, whereas men benefit from their networks. Researchers found that women who form ties with higher-status people are seen as dominant and subject to social penalties. Organizations can take steps to reframe network building activities to protect the status perception of women.

A better way of measuring homophily

Researchers have developed a new method to measure homophily in social networks, which can accurately capture biases within group interactions. The study found that traditional methods may produce misleading results, particularly in networks with unequal groups and asymmetric mixing.

A digital detox may not improve wellbeing: social media users who reduced their use for a week saw decreases in positive emotions as well as in negative ones

A digital detox for a week had mixed effects on mood, with no increase in desires to use social media platforms. The study found that reducing social networking site use led to decreases in both positive and negative emotions in users.

Are we really foreseeing break-ups?

Researchers found that after learning about a couple's break-up, participants perceived the relationship as more obvious and negative. They also reported reinterpreting positive qualities as signs of an impending break-up.

What makes someone likely to be a first-gen college grad? Money

A new study reveals that first-generation college graduates often originate from more affluent families with greater resources. This challenges the notion of a meritocracy, where success is solely based on individual effort. The research highlights the significant advantage these students have due to their family's socioeconomic status.

Twitter's role in combating vaccine misinformation: New study highlights importance of influential users

A new study found that a handful of key Twitter influencers effectively countered vaccine misinformation and promoted accurate information about vaccines. Social media influencers can use their social capital to challenge the spread of conspiracy theories.

A closer look at how environment influences physical activity

A systematic review of literature on physical activity found that the built environment and social factors have a significant influence on physical activity levels. The study identified gaps in research, particularly in understanding how social and built environments interact across communities and affect health disparities. Researcher...

Wild animals stop the spread of socially transmitted misinformation

Researchers discovered that even in the absence of predators, escape events occur frequently but rarely spread to many fish. The study suggests that this robustness to false alarms is due to dynamic adjustments in sensitivity to socially acquired information.

Targeting wealth managers would cripple Russia's oligarchs

A new study by Dartmouth College researchers finds that sanctions on wealth managers would be more effective than asset seizure in crippling Russia's oligarchs. The research uses network science to map the connections between wealthy individuals and their financial experts, revealing a vulnerable network that can be disrupted with targ...

Want to be influential and drive change? Be a woman (on a farm in Indonesia)

A new study finds that women and young people are more influential than older men in influencing others to implement sustainable practices. Women's recommendations often led to real action, despite being less likely to be identified as opinion leaders.

Men are leaving feminizing occupations

A recent study from the University of Zurich shows that men selectively leave occupations increasingly taken by women. This could explain shifts in occupation sex composition and specializations. The study's findings suggest that men are less likely to remain in jobs when a higher proportion of women enter.

RITHMS, the new EU-funded project focused on technology to tackle illicit trafficking of Cultural Heritage

The RITHMS project aims to enhance police forces' and customs authorities' capabilities in tackling illicit cultural trafficking with innovative technologies. The platform will utilize Social Network Analysis to identify organized criminal networks and provide valuable information to investigators.

Recent research analyzes complex criminal networks with new statistical tools

Researchers developed a new class of statistical models to group criminals with similar connectivity patterns, revealing nested and hierarchical structures in the 'Ndrangheta network. The models account for complex architectures and incorporate additional node information from investigations.

Desire for son in Nepal may impact on girls’ health and wellbeing – new study

A new study in Nepal reveals that the desire for a son can lead to shorter breastfeeding durations for girls, resulting in a greater risk of infant mortality. The research found that girls with only older sisters had the shortest breastfeeding duration.

Wang receives Meta grant for research on social media advertising and privacy in Global South

Yang Wang's research focuses on usability of privacy technologies and artificial intelligence. Researchers will conduct semi-structured interviews, surveys, and co-design sessions with users from India and Bangladesh about their experiences with targeted ads.

Do recommendation algorithms on social networks promote inequality?

A new study reveals that online social network algorithms can distort and amplify biases against minority groups, leading to unequal visibility and ranking. Researchers found that homophily and the proportion of minorities in a network can contribute to this effect.

Clinician peer networks remove race and gender bias

A University of Pennsylvania study found that clinician peer networks significantly reduce health care inequities and disparities. The study led by Professor Damon Centola showed that clinicians who initially exhibited significant bias could change their clinical recommendations to exhibit no bias.

Far out: Why political parties go to extremes

A recent study modelled social, economic, and personal factors influencing voters and parties to identify four key levers that tip the balance towards political extremes. Social contagion and macro-economic factors such as employment and economic growth play a significant role in driving polarization.

Social network analysis provides new insights on strategies to disrupt the Sicilian Mafia

Researchers used social network analysis to simulate Sicilian Mafia networks and found that targeting individuals with high Betweenness centrality was effective in disrupting the network. The study provides new insights for law enforcement strategies, highlighting the potential benefits of applying network measures to select targets.

General patient infections transferred similarly to hospital-acquired infections

A new study reveals that networks formed by patient transfers between hospitals in France are similar among three patient populations: HAIs, suspected HAIs, and the general patient population. This similarity could help predict HAI spread and inform efforts to reduce its transmission.

Study -- overweight teens more likely to be rejected as friends by normal weight peers

A new study by Arizona State University researchers found that overweight youth choose non-overweight friends more often than they are selected in return. This leads to overweight youth having one fewer friend on average compared to their normal-weight peers.

Facebook and Twitter may yield clues to preventing the spread of disease

Researchers from the University of Waterloo suggest that Facebook and Twitter can provide valuable insights into controlling infectious diseases. By analyzing social media data, they aim to develop predictive models that understand how people respond to biological contagions.

Why yawning is contagious in bonobos

Research published in PLOS ONE found that bonobos yawn more contagiously when closely related or relaxed, while senior group members trigger yawns regardless of context. This social component suggests empathy plays a role in shaping yawning behavior.

Study reveals trade patterns for crucial substance played key role in Maya collapse

A new study suggests that shifting exchange networks were instrumental in prompting the 'Maya collapse', with evidence pointing to a decline in inland centers and rise of coastal trade networks. Researchers used social network analysis to map obsidian transportation routes, revealing changes in trade patterns over time.

Those who stay together yawn together

A study published in PLOS ONE found that yawn contagion is linked to social empathy, with family members and close friends triggering the most responses. The researchers identified a pattern of empathy similar to other measures, suggesting that yawn contagion occurs due to our natural inclination to connect with others

Social media expert explores dynamics of online networking

Researchers found that accomplished developers form an elitist circle in the OSS community, making it difficult for less successful developers to establish collaborative relations. The study demonstrates social network analysis as a useful approach to understanding online social systems and their dynamics.