Imaginary network motifs: Structural patterns of false positives and negatives in social networks

Kyosuke Tanaka*, George Vega Yon

*Corresponding author af dette arbejde

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskrift/Konferencebidrag i tidsskrift /Bidrag til avisTidsskriftartikelForskningpeer review

Abstract

We examine the structural patterns in the cognitive representation of social networks by systematically classifying false positives and negatives. Although existing literature on Cognitive Social Structures (CSS) has begun exploring false positives and negatives by comparing actual and perceived networks, it has not differentiated simultaneous occurrences of true and false positives and negatives on network motifs, such as reciprocity and triadic closure. Here, we propose a theoretical framework to categorize three classes of errors we call imaginary network motifs as combinations of accurately and erroneously perceived ties: (a) partially false, (b) completely false, and (c) mixed false. Using four published CSS data sets, we empirically test which imaginary network motifs are significantly more or less present in different types of perceived networks than the corresponding actual networks. Our results confirm that people not only fill in the blanks as suggested in the prior research but also conceive other imaginary structures. The findings advance our understanding of perception gaps between actual and perceived networks and have implications for designing more accurate network modeling and sampling.

OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftSocial Networks
Vol/bind78
Sider (fra-til)65-80
Antal sider16
ISSN0378-8733
DOI
StatusUdgivet - jul. 2024

Fingeraftryk

Dyk ned i forskningsemnerne om 'Imaginary network motifs: Structural patterns of false positives and negatives in social networks'. Sammen danner de et unikt fingeraftryk.

Citationsformater