People and networks: psychology, structure, and motivations

© 2005 Dr. Yuval KalishFrom title page: Submitted in total fulfillment of the requirements of the combined Masters of Psychology and Doctor of Philosophy degreesThis thesis argues that the anticategorical imperative (Emirbayer & Goodwin, 1994) limits our understanding of social networks. We suggest that the assumption that social network processes play out solely in terms of "self-organising" processes may not capture the complexity of network phenomenon, because similar types of network structures may arise under different actor motivations, with implications for how these structures are utilised and how the network continues to evolve. In a series of four studies, we examine how actors' psychological attributes, identity, values, and psychological strain enhance our understanding of network phenomena. In the first three studies, we examine the propensity of actors with specific psychological predispositions to structure their network in certain ways. In the Study 4, we examine how network structures affect the individuals occupying them. In Study 1 we develop a measurement instrument that we argue is better suited than the available network metrics to examine egocentric networks. We find using this instrument that psychological characteristics are related to the way 125 University of Melbourne students structure their local network. In Studies 2 and 3 we expand the notion of structural holes. Following Simmel (1955), we differentiate between two types of structural holes. Using two small case-studies conducted in Israel, we identify two network orientations (peace-building and entrepreneurial) that relate to individuals who seek and occupy structural holes. In study 4 we examine the psychological distress arising from occupying different triadic configurations of signed (and missing) ties. Using a community sample of 332 people, our results suggest that balance theory may be flawed. In the Discussion, we integrate the findings from the four Studies. We propose a classification of individuals who occupy structural holes based on characteristics of their alters and the network orientation of the broker. We examine the implications of this classification to the evolution of network structures, to identity formation and to leadership