Evolving friendship networks: An individual-oriented approach implementing similarity

Abstract

This article is an extension to Zeggelink (1994) which introduced the individual-oriented approach to model the evolution of networks. In this approach, the dynamics of friendship network structure are considered as a result of individual choices with regard to friendship relationships. 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 individual characteristics on which this similarity is based thus becomes important. In contrast to most existing dynamic social network models, this aspect of heterogeneity, as well as dependence of dyads, can easily be dealt with. We examine how individual characteristics and preferences (individual attributes at the micro level) with respect to prospective friendship relations interact and aggregate to outcomes at the macro level: the network structure.