EVOLVING FRIENDSHIP NETWORKS - AN INDIVIDUAL-ORIENTED APPROACH IMPLEMENTING SIMILARITY

This article is an extension to Zeggelink (1994) which introduced the individual-oriented approach to model the evolution of networks. In th is approach, the dynamics of friendship network structure are consider ed as a result of individual choices with regard to friendship relatio nships. Individuals have specific characteristics and behavioral rules . The previous model was based solely on individuals' different needs for social contact. In the model presented here, we introduce another important determinant of friendship formation: preferences for similar friends. The amount of heterogeneity of the distribution of individua l characteristics on which this similarity is based thus becomes impor tant. In contrast to most existing dynamic social network models, this aspect of heterogeneity, as well as dependence of dyads, can easily b e dealt with. We examine how individual characteristics and preference s (individual attributes at the micro level) with respect to prospecti ve friendship relations interact and aggregate to outcomes at the macr o level: the network structure.