The Emergence and Stability of Groups in Social Networks

An important puzzle in social network research is to explain how macro-level structures emerge from micro-level network processes. Explaining the emergence and stability of structural groups in social networks is particularly difficult for two reasons. First, because groups are characterized both by high connectedness within (group cohesion) and lack of connectedness between them (group boundaries). Second, because a large number of theoretical micro-level network processes contribute to their emergence. We argue that traditional social network theories that are concerned with the evolution of positive relations (forces of attraction) are not sufficient to explain the emergence of groups because they lack mechanisms explaining the emergence of group boundaries. Models that additionally account for the evolution of negative ties (forces of repulsion) may be better suited to explain the emergence and stability of groups. We build a theoretical model and illustrate its usefulness by fitting stochastic actor-oriented models (SAOMs) to empirical data of co-evolving networks of friendship and dislike among 479 secondary-school students. The SAOMs include a number of newly developed effects expressing the co-evolution between positive and negative ties. We then simulate networks from the estimated models to explore the micro-macro link. We find that a model that considers forces of attraction and repulsion simultaneously is better at explaining groups in social networks. In the long run, however, the empirically informed simulations generate networks that are too stylized to be realistic, raising further questions about model degeneracy and time heterogeneity of group processes.     

How do parents’ educational fields affect the choice of educational field?

This study examines the links between parental education and students’ choice of field of study in Norwegian higher education. In our interpretation of the results, we suggest a status group perspective that integrates risk aversion models, micro‐class theory, and cultural reproduction schemes. Complete Norwegian register data for all individuals born from 1955 to 1980 allow for a fine‐grained examination of diverse fields of study not attempted in earlier studies. The findings reveal that intergenerational reproduction of educational fields is widespread, but its extent varies across fields of study. The tendency is most pronounced among children of professional, educated parents with masters and higher‐level degrees. Moreover, the analysis shows that students who do not choose the same field as their parents nonetheless tend to choose educational fields close to those of their parents.     

Coming Together: Factors that Connect Social Workers to Group Work Practice

Group work is an effective method to intervene with various populations in multiple settings. However, research has demonstrated that social workers are often not prepared for the realities of group work practice. In this study, the lens is turned on professional social workers that identify as group workers about the motivations and factors that contributed to their practice of group work. The goal of this research is to provide data and related insights that will enhance the preparation of social workers for the realities of contemporary group work practice. The study also identified factors that would enhance group work education in both the classroom and field education settings.     

Drumming and Mindfulness Integrations into an Evidence-Based Group Intervention

Community mental health, to protect the integrity of service to a highly vulnerable population, has sought to increase the use of evidence-based practice. However, most evidence-based practices have a narrow scope challenging the breadth of effectiveness with consumers with higher levels of comorbidity. This article explores the use of mindfulness and drumming integrated into an evidence-based program: Seeking Safety. In response to the challenges of conducting a cognitive-focused intervention for members diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder, addictions, and co-occurring severe/persistent mental illness, mindfulness principles and drumming are used to help manage the emotional needs of group members. This article outlines the foundational principles supporting the group program.     

基于无标度网络的绿色出行选择行为研究

随着我国城市化进程的加快,机动车污染已成为我国城市空气污染的一个主要来源,提倡绿色出行的理念有助于缓解机动车尾气带来的空气污染,那么对于有限理性个体在复杂社交网络中的绿色出行行为意愿的研究以及群体行为的演化则成为了本文的研究焦点。本文基于计划行为理论等建立了基于个体行为态度、感知行为控制、主观规范及行为结果感知等影响因素的个体绿色出行行为意愿模型,运用观点传播动力学及无标度网络构建了个体选择行为交互网络模型。实证及仿真分析表明,个体行为态度因素在居民的绿色出行行为意愿中取值很高,作用显著,行为感知因素则影响较为有限,提高行为结果感知因素与主观规范因素的取值是提高居民绿色出行行为意愿的主要途径;在择优连接原则与网络增长假设条件下,整个网络向着几个中心节点聚集的趋势越来越明显,即网络节点中心化的程度越来越显著;在社会网络中,提高行为主体的信息交互阈值取值、增加行为主体绿色出行交通费用的折扣系数、提升民众采取绿色出行方式时的精神满足感、塑造宣传绿色出行的意见领袖将有利于提高居民的绿色出行行为意愿。     

政务微博群传播态势与内容建设策略探析──基于新浪网“十大新闻办机构微博”的观察

政务微博集群化发展成为我国政务微博发展的新亮点。研究者选取新浪网＂十大政府新闻办机构微博＂为研究对象,在考察其总体传播态势的基础上,探析其在内容建设上所呈现的生活服务资讯占主导、城市文化新闻是重点、政府新闻发布会优先、互动性内容做补充的共性特征。研究者认为,目前城市政务微博群、微博发布厅的内容建设总体上还处于起步阶段,主要存在资讯发布分类宽泛、转发分享忽略引导、时事报道时效性弱、话题设置关注度低等方面的问题。要解决这些问题,需要从融入编辑整合意识、提供内容共创机会、聚合社区网络协商三个方面入手,对城市政务微博群、微博发布厅的内容资源进行优化整合。     

汉语“民族”概念的特点与中国民族研究的话语权——兼谈“中华民族”、“中国各民族”与当前流行的“族群”概念

汉语"民族"概念虽然具有含混、模糊的特点,并带来使用和交流的诸多不便,但其内涵的丰富和外延的宽泛,所显示的灵活性和包容性是欧美各国语言的相关术语不能比拟的。它能充分展现不同层次和不同层面的民族共同体的内涵及其相互关系,综合不同阶段不同形态的民族共同体的共性,揭示民族过程的规律与趋向,适应不同学科民族研究的需要。必须坚持中国民族研究的话语权,完善马克思主义民族理论的中国化。"族群"概念的泛化使用会给我国民族研究带来困惑,不赞同用"族群"来取代"民族"。     

族群身份之论争:跨文化间的交流与互动——郝瑞与李绍明的论争分析

美国人类学家斯蒂文·郝瑞与中国民族学家李绍明展开的关于民族和族群的论争,是在中国人类学走向国际化的一次交流与互动.     

论跨界民族的社会认同

文章从国际政治的视角探讨了跨界民族的社会认同问题,指出跨界民族的社会认同的主要情形如和(和谐)而不同、由合(融合)而同、因同而合(融合)与不和(和谐)不同产生的条件与影响,认为跨界民族问题的解决,首先要促使跨界民族实现本土化的转型,实现"适应-认同一融合",并在此基础上形成和谐的族群关系.     

公祭:人类学的解读

在人类学看来,公祭具有多元性、地方性、族群性、社会性和政冶性等特点.公祭的多元性是文化多样性的一种表达,公祭的地方性是地方性知识的一种凸现,公祭的族群性是族群认同的一个边界,公祭的社会性是社会控制的一个手段,公祭的政治性是一种文化权力的控制.因此,不可轻易否定公祭.但举行公祭必须慎之又慎,必须有理有利有节地举行,制定公祭的法律法规,严格公祭审批,使公祭能在法制的规范下进行,既能够满足人们的精神需求,又能够为增强中华民族凝聚力贡献出应有的力量.