This paper by Friedkin and Johnsen explores the relationship between interpersonal influences and the formation of individual opinions within a social network. The authors start by specifying a social process rather than a social equilibrium, aiming to provide a broader formal approach to understanding opinion formation. They derive several models of social influence from this approach, including the linear discrepancy model, the peer effects model, and consensus models. The paper also discusses the implications of these models for theories of social conflict and conformity, arguing that the distinction between these two perspectives is artificial. The authors emphasize that the process of opinion formation is highly idiosyncratic and can vary significantly across groups and issues, but it is also formally elegant and has deducible implications. They conclude by suggesting that both social conflict and conformity behaviors can coexist in any group, and that the relative importance of each depends on the variation of initial opinions and the strength of interpersonal influences.This paper by Friedkin and Johnsen explores the relationship between interpersonal influences and the formation of individual opinions within a social network. The authors start by specifying a social process rather than a social equilibrium, aiming to provide a broader formal approach to understanding opinion formation. They derive several models of social influence from this approach, including the linear discrepancy model, the peer effects model, and consensus models. The paper also discusses the implications of these models for theories of social conflict and conformity, arguing that the distinction between these two perspectives is artificial. The authors emphasize that the process of opinion formation is highly idiosyncratic and can vary significantly across groups and issues, but it is also formally elegant and has deducible implications. They conclude by suggesting that both social conflict and conformity behaviors can coexist in any group, and that the relative importance of each depends on the variation of initial opinions and the strength of interpersonal influences.