Social networks possibly rarely build large number and great length paths among people communication. As Hanneman and Hendrik (2005) pointed that “the size of a network is often very important”. For example, in a group of 12 students in a seminar, it is quite difficult to build and exchange each relationship well. If the number has expanded to 300 people, how can the students elaborate on their idea! As a group gets bigger, its closed density could decrease, and the group is likely to be differentiated and partitioned. As a result, the network has contributed a kind of communication platform that seems to dilute the powers of the traditional opinion leader. However, power is a consequence of patterns of relations, the low density and weak opinion will reduce the degree and space of issues discussed. In addition, Porter (2007) reported clearly stated that weak ties in social networks. It graphed the differences and relationship among group/networks, weak ties and strong ties. Its context easily indicated that groups of strong ties need a lot of management to stay healthy over time. Groups of weak ties are utilized infrequently and lead to a diversity of ideas, as they tie together disparate models of thought.
The next time, I am going to talking about the further relationship, especially building new friendships by social networking!?
Reference 1. Hanneman, R., & Riddle, M. (2005). Connect. Connection and distance. Introduction to social network methods, chap.7. Retrieved from http://faculty.ucr.edu/~hanneman/nettext/C7_Connection.html 2. Porter, J. (2007,October 5). Weak Ties and Diversity in Social Networks. Retrieved from http://bokardo.com/archives/weak-ties-and-diversity-in-social-networks/
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Shebley say...
ReplyDeleteSocial networking starts with only two persons and the number will increase as it expands from time to time if it serves and gratifies everyone’s needs and wants. However, it will dispers once the group has lost their direction or move towards another interest. Yes the size of the social networking group is very important but I would personally say that the “quality” of the group is more important than the “quantity” of the members. For example, if the social networking site has more thousands of followers but only 100 people are actively involved and connected in communicating with one another, then how about the rest? Are they considered as “parasite”?
I think people on Facebook will have close friends they add to the list, and acquaintances on the periphery that get added because of their connection to their closer friends. The app can be used to connect with close friends and occasionally socialize with acquaintances. There is a hierarchy in the community, each person has an individual hierarchy.
ReplyDeleteGrish
The weak and strong tie theory goes back to Granovetter, who differentiated this two types of ties in his landmark paper ‘The Strength of Weak Ties’ (1973).
ReplyDeleteStrong ties are people you really trust, like close friends and family, people whose social circles tightly overlap with your own. Often, these people tend to be similar to yourself. They can affect emotional health (Schaefer & Coyne, et al. 1990) and often join together to lead organizations through times of crisis (Krackhardt & Stern, 1988).
Weak ties, on the other hand, are merely acquaintances. They often provide access to novel information, information not circulating in the closely-knit network of strong ties. (p.1360-1380).
I agree with Grish saying that Facebook provides an opportunity for both - the connection with close friends and the socialization with acquaintances. Under certain circumstances weak ties can also grow and become strong ties in the future. An acquaintant on FB therefore might eventually also become a friend in real life.
In my opinion, however, the dicisive part of such a friendship, is the first "real" impression. Only seeing each other in "reality", reading gestures and mimics of the other person and simply feel if you trust each other is the basis for real friendship.
Social Media alone is not enough.
Shebley say...
ReplyDeleteTrue but don't you think that this app really bring some changes to the community as the users are able to be connected with their long lost friends, teachers or even relatives with the friend finder app? It does serve the community in bringing them closer to one another. But there is also circumstances where some people just add anyone in random within the Facebook network to be their friend. However, the party can chose either to accept or to ignore the “friend’s request”. So by having this option, the privacy of any individual is within their control. No one can intrude their page unless they give their consent.