The Function of Negative Relationship in Social Networks

ネットワーク ニオケル フノ カンケイ ノ キノウ

ワタナベ, フトシ

Watanabe, Futoshi

オオサカ ダイガク ダイガクイン ニンゲン カガク ケンキュウカ シャカイガク ニンゲンガク ジンルイガク ケンキュウシツ

Sociology, Anthropology and Philosophy, Graduate School of Human Sciences, Osaka University

英語

負の関係

バランス理論

三項関係

ソシオン

network

negative relationship

balance theory

triad

socion

The aim of this paper is to examine the function of negative relationship in social networks. Social networks include not only trust and affection, but also negative elements such as distrust, hatred and suspicion. Most social network analyses have originated from Radcliffe-Brown's structural-functional anthropology and gestalt theory on cognitive psychology combined with the studies of sociometry. These structural analysis approaches are prone to overlook the function of negative relationship. On the contrary, some sociologists such as Georg Simmel and Norbert Elias emphasized the function of negative relationship to connect individuals. Grounded on this theoretical framework, "socion theory" tries to construct a network model installing the idea of negative relationship. The concept of socion denotes individuals, groups and organizations as social agents embedded in social communication networks. The triad model of socion, or "trion model" developed Fritz Heider's balance theory. According to trion model, it is assumed that the stabilized patterns of triad consist of three positive relations or two negative relations and one positive relation. The stabilized system of triad operates self-amplifying mechanisms strengthening the oriented relationship. Furthermore, socion model theoretically distinguish the level of realities. The object-level of reality involves material objects and physical actions. The subject-level of reality involves representations and feelings. The meta-level of reality involves language and thinking. Introducing the concept of stratification of reality, we could discuss the social network dynamics more exactly.

英語