Emotions, indigenous affective ties, and social network theory—The case of South Korea

Abstract

This study conceptually explores the structural and emotional aspects of informal social networks in South Korea by examining the indigenous concepts of jeong, woori, inmaek, and yongo in relation to the theories of social networks, social capital, and social exchange. We suggest extending extant knowledge of the latter by pursuing the geocentric integration of Eastern and Western schools of thought on crucial elements of social networks, chiefly by focusing on affective characteristics compared to the conventional and dominant focus on cognitive characteristics. Moreover, we highlight the dualistic nature of informal ties by adapting the notions of yin-yang and zhongyong. Based on the results of our analysis, we suggest explicitly integrating interpersonal affection and the role of emotions as the constituting elements of social network development and cohesion.