This book describes how a network of interpersonal influence can operate to form agreements among persons who occupy different positions in a group or organization. It presents an account of consensus formation that is unique in its integration of work from the fields of social psychology and sociology concerned with group dynamics and social structures.
Contents
List of tables and figures; Preface; Part A. Theory and Setting: 1. Social structure and social Control; 2. Toward a structural social psychology; 3. A setting in the scientific community; Part B. Measures of the Theoretical Constructs: 4. A structural parameterization; 5. Interpersonal influence; 6. Self and other; 7. Social positions; Part C. Analysis: 8. The structure of social space; 9. The production of consensus; 10. Influence of actors and social positions; 11. Durkheim's vision; References; Index.
Prize Winner
the 1999 Best Book Award in Mathematical Sociology of the ASA
Reviews
"Friedkin's book engages a central problem in network analysis, that of showing that studies of the patterning of social relations can inform substantive research. In linking structure to outcomes, it bears on a much-publicized debate about the structural basis of social influence and attempts a productive integration of network measures with social psychological theories of influence. In so doing, Friedkin presents data on the interesting substantive case of relationships among scientists at important research institutions." Peter V. Marsden, Harvard University
"It is a pleasure to review this monograph for the American Journal of Sociology, not only because of its high quality, but also because reviews of similar texts are getting hard to find." Stanley Wasserman, American Journal of Sociology
"The work is well written and meticulously argued. Friedkin is a master of his craft, and he provides here an entree into network analysis that is important for organizational researchers." David Strang, Administrative Science Quarterly
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