Tripartite structural analysis: Generalizing the Breiger-Wilson formalism

Tripartite graphs have three types of nodes and ties exist only between nod this paper, we indicate the background of work in structural analysis that leads to the use of such graphs and we develop the associated matrix methods. Fundamentally, the idea is to move another step forward in our ability to treat in analytical terms the general phenomenon of overlapping inclusions, such as that of persons and groups. We relate this idea to classic concerns with the interpenetration of persons, social systems, and cultural systems. In detail, the framework and results generalize those of Breiger (1974) and Wilson (1982).