A small world can be viewed from different perspectives. This can be from the mathematical, physical or sociological perspectives. Small-world network is a mathematical graph. In this graph most nodes don’t neighbor one another.
Apart from this, these nodes can be approached from different directions. Small-world networks are characterized by cliques and near-cliques. From the sociological perspective, these small-world networking has advantages. One of the advantages is their resistance to change.
This is due to the presence of the filtering apparatus that makes use of highly connected nodes. Also, the other advantage is the efficiency in transferring information. It has the capability to transfer information and at the same time has the capability to maintain the number of links needed to keep the network running (Murray, 2010).
The models related to this are mostly applicable to empathy group theory. The theory has been represented in sociological argument. Affinity groups can be described as social movement groups. They are characterized by their small size. Also, they are semi-independent pledged being directed towards a bigger goal.
The model has been used to prove the protest directorial strategies against police action. The model urges that the higher the populations in the network that result from merging of small networks, the more valuable are the nodes. The same can be put across when defining the affinity group model. (Cohen, 2003).
In this phenomenon social connections are formed. The social connections link individuals from different regions of the world. The concept brought about the well known phrase of six degrees of separation. This was after the small world experiment.
During the experiment, people were requested to reach a certain person by sending a message through a chain of links. In that experiment most of the chains failed. The relationship between individuals can be shown by the use of collaboration graphs. An affirmative relationship is indicated by a positive edge between two nodes.
On the other hand, a negative one is illustrated by a negative edge. Prediction can be done on the probable outcomes of the graph. Signed social network graphs are used to illustrate this. To illustrate the behavior of those who can change their opinions, balanced graphs are used. Vice versa takes place for those who can change their opinions (Cohen, 2002).
According to study, it has been observed that joy has a relation with social networks. In case one individual has joy, a certain fraction of those surrounding him or her have joy too. Individuals at the central part of a certain network enjoy life in future than those in the outer region.
Genetical values can also be seen in the social networks. This is according to research carried out within the recent years. Also, taking an example that the chances that a two individuals being friends to another are high. In addition, the numbers of routes that can be used to move to another person in a network are heritable (Bartheleny, 1999).
Reference List
Bartheleny, M. (1999). Small-world networks:Evidence for a crossover picture. Phys.Rev. Lett. 82(15), 3180.
Cohen, R.,(2002). Structural properties of scale free networks: A handbook of graphs and networks. London. Lilly printing press.
Cohen, R.(2003). ‘‘Scale-free networks are ultrasmall’’: phys.rev.lett. 98(23),4321.
Murray, R.(2010). ‘‘Networks with the smallest average distance and the average clustering’. Web. Retrieved