The Micro–Macro Link in Social Networks
Title
The Micro–Macro Link in Social Networks
Author
Stadtfeld, Christoph
Research Area
The Individual and Society
Topic
Social Networks
Abstract
Important questions in the social sciences are concerned with the link between micro‐level behavior and aggregate macro‐level outcomes. This essay proposes that studies of the micro–macro link in social systems can utilize conceptual representations and analytical strategies from the field of social networks. In particular, statistical network models and research strategies from agent‐based network modeling can be combined to investigate dynamics and the emergence of structure. An empirical case study illustrates how stochastic actor‐oriented models can be applied as empirically calibrated agent‐based simulations. The fruitfulness of this approach is demonstrated by a Schelling‐inspired case study on the emergence of segregation in social networks. It is shown that even individuals without homophilous preferences may find themselves in segregated structures due to the complex interaction of different network mechanisms. The example thereby illustrates how social networks can serve as a conceptual and analytical framework to study the micro–macro link in dynamic, interdependent, and multi‐mechanistic social systems.