The illusion of households as entities in social networks

Music City Center 

Connections between people in communities are often collected and analyzed as either networks of individuals or networks of households. These two networks can differ in substantial ways. The methodological choice of which network to study is an important aspect of study design and data analysis. In this work we consider key differences between household and individual social network structure and ways in which the networks cannot be used interchangeably. We formalize the choices for representing each network and explore how social network analysis depends on these choices. We propose a systematic approach to determine the relevant network representation to study by assessing a series of entitativity criteria. We relate these criteria to theories and observations about household social dynamics and how they are affected by power structures and gender roles. We invoke the definition of an illusion of entitativity to classify when a household network does not satisfy these criteria in an experimental context. Given the widespread use of social network data for studying communities, there is broad impact in understanding which network to study and the consequences of that decision.

Social networks

network science

study design 

Social Statistics Section