Freeman (1977) reviews and evaluates existing measures of structural centrality in social networks, clarifying three intuitive conceptions of centrality: point centrality (degree, betweenness, and closeness), and graph centrality (centralization of the entire network). He introduces three measures for each concept: one absolute measure of point centrality, one relative measure of point centrality, and one measure of network centralization. These measures are evaluated for their consistency with intuitions and interpretability. The concept of centrality was first introduced by Bavelas (1948) in the context of communication in small groups. Subsequent studies, including those by Leavitt (1949), Smith (1950), and others, showed that centrality was related to group efficiency, leadership perception, and participant satisfaction. However, results from later studies became confusing and contradictory, leading to a lack of consensus on the definition and measurement of centrality. Centrality has been applied beyond experimental studies to fields such as political integration, urban development, and organizational design. Recent studies have shown that centrality is related to the diffusion of technological innovations and the emergence of two types of centrality in interorganizational relations. Freeman discusses three structural properties of centrality: degree (number of connections), betweenness (position on shortest paths), and closeness (distance to other points). He introduces three measures for each property: one based on degree (absolute and relative), one based on betweenness (absolute and relative), and one based on closeness (absolute and relative). These measures are used to assess the centrality of points and the centralization of networks. Freeman also introduces three measures of graph centrality: one based on degree, one based on betweenness, and one based on closeness. These measures are used to assess the centralization of the entire network. He concludes that the star or wheel is the most centralized graph, while the complete graph is the least centralized. Freeman concludes that there are three distinct conceptions of centrality: control, independence, and activity. These conceptions imply three competing theories of how centrality might affect group processes. He emphasizes the need for further empirical research to determine which of these conceptions is most appropriate in different contexts.Freeman (1977) reviews and evaluates existing measures of structural centrality in social networks, clarifying three intuitive conceptions of centrality: point centrality (degree, betweenness, and closeness), and graph centrality (centralization of the entire network). He introduces three measures for each concept: one absolute measure of point centrality, one relative measure of point centrality, and one measure of network centralization. These measures are evaluated for their consistency with intuitions and interpretability. The concept of centrality was first introduced by Bavelas (1948) in the context of communication in small groups. Subsequent studies, including those by Leavitt (1949), Smith (1950), and others, showed that centrality was related to group efficiency, leadership perception, and participant satisfaction. However, results from later studies became confusing and contradictory, leading to a lack of consensus on the definition and measurement of centrality. Centrality has been applied beyond experimental studies to fields such as political integration, urban development, and organizational design. Recent studies have shown that centrality is related to the diffusion of technological innovations and the emergence of two types of centrality in interorganizational relations. Freeman discusses three structural properties of centrality: degree (number of connections), betweenness (position on shortest paths), and closeness (distance to other points). He introduces three measures for each property: one based on degree (absolute and relative), one based on betweenness (absolute and relative), and one based on closeness (absolute and relative). These measures are used to assess the centrality of points and the centralization of networks. Freeman also introduces three measures of graph centrality: one based on degree, one based on betweenness, and one based on closeness. These measures are used to assess the centralization of the entire network. He concludes that the star or wheel is the most centralized graph, while the complete graph is the least centralized. Freeman concludes that there are three distinct conceptions of centrality: control, independence, and activity. These conceptions imply three competing theories of how centrality might affect group processes. He emphasizes the need for further empirical research to determine which of these conceptions is most appropriate in different contexts.