Errors of Omission and Commission in Group Communication Networks

Abstract

We advance a novel theory of relational schemas on how formal and informal structures in communication networks explain why members misperceive and miss the existence of communication links in their networks. To test our hypotheses based on the theory, we collected data on 23, 12-person networks (N = 212 participants), measuring both the actual communication networks (who was actually connected to whom) and perceived networks (who was perceived by others to be connected to whom). Comparing the actual and perceived networks shows that members tend to overestimate the presence of communication links between members in formal groups and informal structures (e.g., reciprocity and two-path) and underestimate the presence of links between people in different groups and people who are part of an unclosed triad. There is a clear accuracy trade-off in using relational schemas for perceptions of communication networks. These findings provide insights into how members’ perceptions of who knows whom hinder their ability to share information effectively.