Preference effects on friendship choice: Evidence from an online field experiment

Yu, Siyu; Xie, Yu

doi:10.1016/j.ssresearch.2017.01.006

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 92 publications

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“…Thus, individuals have little to no choice but to develop friendships with those who are alike. Other research underlines psychological aspects such as personal preferences (Anderson et al, 2014;Yu & Xie, 2017), similarity attractions (Ilmarinen et al, 2016;Stark & Flache, 2012), and intergroup attitudes (Bahns et al, 2015;Fischer, 2011;Poteat et al, 2011) that make homogeneous friendships more desirable. In typical instances, individuals intentionally choose to befriend similar others despite having an opportunity to flock with different others.…”

Section: Why Do Homogeneous Friendships Persist In a Diverse Population? Making Sense Of Homophilymentioning

confidence: 99%

Why Do Homogeneous Friendships Persist in a Diverse Population? Making Sense of Homophily

Firmansyah¹,

Pratama²

2021

Preprint

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Homophily is one of the robust findings in social network studies. It persists even in a diverse population where the opportunity to develop homogeneous friendship is not greater than a mere chance and the process of developing heterogeneous friendship is facilitated. In this study, we introduce the Framework for Intergroup Relations and Multiple Affiliations Networks (FIRMAN), derived from social identity theory and social network framework, that can explain why that is the case. We begin by explaining its components: social identity space, social identity distance, length of ties, tie outreachability, and tie capacity. Then, through 7000 agent-based simulations, we demonstrate how the interaction of tie outreachability and tie capacity constraints heterogeneous friendship formations, which in turn make homophily inevitable even in a very diverse population. Surprisingly, the presence of even a small percentage (< 15%) of agents who can only develop homogeneous friendships can affect the whole population, preventing other agents from developing heterogenous friendships. We conclude by providing some directions for future research.

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Section: Why Do Homogeneous Friendships Persist In a Diverse Population? Making Sense Of Homophilymentioning

confidence: 99%

Why Do Homogeneous Friendships Persist in a Diverse Population? Making Sense of Homophily

Firmansyah¹,

Pratama²

2021

Preprint

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“…These findings corroborate previous empirical field study on the same subject (Hofstra et al, 2017; Wimmer & Lewis, 2010). While past research highlighting various antecedents including preference (Ilmarinen et al, 2016; Yu & Xie, 2017), living location (Mouw & Entwisle, 2006), demographic composition (Joyner & Kao, 2000), and foci structures (Feld, 1981), my study brings a different perspective explaining it through a basic individual level mechanism built on a formal framework, FIRMAN (Firmansyah & Pratama, 2021). In this respect, Facebook has increased users’ tie capacity (TC) but has done little with users’ tie outreachability (TO).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…And historically, this phenomenon was driven by structural factors such as dispersed living locations (Mouw & Entwisle, 2006), unbalanced demographic composition (Joyner & Kao, 2000), divided foci (Feld, 1981), and language barriers (Li & Zizzi, 2018; Titzmann et al, 2012), which constrain individuals’ ability to reach out to different others. Of course, psychological factors such as preference (Ilmarinen et al, 2016; Yu & Xie, 2017) and intergroup attitudes (Bahns et al, 2015; Fischer, 2011) also play roles.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How Does Facebook Retain Segregated Friendship? An Agent-Based Model Approach

Firmansyah

2023

Social Science Computer Review

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Facebook, the largest social networking site in the world, has overcome the structural barriers that historically constrain individuals to reach out to different others. Through the platform, people from all walks of life and virtually any location can develop diverse friendships online. However, friendships on Facebook have been as segregated as friendships in real life. This research sought to understand why the leading social networking site intended to “bring the world closer together” retains segregated friendship. In doing so, I employed a series of agent-based simulations based on the Framework for Intergroup Relations and Multiple Affiliations Networks (FIRMAN). As demonstrated, Facebook has primarily enhanced users’ capacity to maintain a larger number of friendships (tie capacity), but it has done little to empower users’ ability to accept diversity and befriend different others (tie outreachability). Facebook must focus on the latter should they truly wish to contribute to the development of a more inclusive society. While in this study I focus on ethnically segregated friendship on Facebook, I argue that the same explanation might also hold for racially and ideologically segregated friendships on other bidirectional social networking sites.

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Birds of a feather flock together? Gender differences in decision-making homophily of friendships

Alm,

Chen,

Lai

et al. 2024

China Economic Review

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Preference effects on friendship choice: Evidence from an online field experiment

Cited by 7 publications

References 92 publications

Why Do Homogeneous Friendships Persist in a Diverse Population? Making Sense of Homophily

Why Do Homogeneous Friendships Persist in a Diverse Population? Making Sense of Homophily

How Does Facebook Retain Segregated Friendship? An Agent-Based Model Approach

Birds of a feather flock together? Gender differences in decision-making homophily of friendships

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