Sep., 1983 | Karen S. Cook, Richard M. Emerson, Mary R. Gillmore, Toshio Yamagishi
This paper by Cook, Emerson, Gillmore, and Yamagishi explores the distribution of power in exchange networks, combining theoretical analysis with laboratory experiments and computer simulations. The authors examine two theoretical approaches: point centrality in graph-theoretic representations and power-dependence principles applied to exchange networks. They find that while centrality measures are useful for predicting power in some networks, they are limited in their generality. In contrast, power-dependence theory, though cumbersome in complex networks, generates hypotheses that are confirmed in laboratory experiments with five-person networks and computer simulations of larger networks. The study highlights the importance of distinguishing between different types of connections in social networks and suggests a way to integrate power-dependence theory and structural centrality to develop more general theories. The experimental results support the hypothesis that power is a function of position in negatively connected exchange networks, with power concentrated in the most central position. The authors also discuss the theoretical strengths and deficiencies of both approaches and propose directions for further theoretical development.This paper by Cook, Emerson, Gillmore, and Yamagishi explores the distribution of power in exchange networks, combining theoretical analysis with laboratory experiments and computer simulations. The authors examine two theoretical approaches: point centrality in graph-theoretic representations and power-dependence principles applied to exchange networks. They find that while centrality measures are useful for predicting power in some networks, they are limited in their generality. In contrast, power-dependence theory, though cumbersome in complex networks, generates hypotheses that are confirmed in laboratory experiments with five-person networks and computer simulations of larger networks. The study highlights the importance of distinguishing between different types of connections in social networks and suggests a way to integrate power-dependence theory and structural centrality to develop more general theories. The experimental results support the hypothesis that power is a function of position in negatively connected exchange networks, with power concentrated in the most central position. The authors also discuss the theoretical strengths and deficiencies of both approaches and propose directions for further theoretical development.