Evolution of human signed networks

Abstract

Two strands of empirical research were based on Heider’s work. One was experimental and remained true to idea that mental affect processes operating within human actors are central while the other jumped to the level of group dynamics and relegated the mental affect processes to the status of background phenomena. By the 1980s, both strands had petered out with little cumulated knowledge. Recently, the ‘group-level’ strand of research has received renewed attention. Much of the recent work, while vigorous, has fallen short precisely because it ignored some of the foundational ideas of Heider. Given this diagnosis, I suggest a new research agenda for structural balance theory that integrates the dynamics of mental affect processes with group-level dynamics.