Collaborative Research on Social Exchange and Network Cohesion

社会交换与网络凝聚力的合作研究

• 批准号: 9816259
• 负责人: Edward Lawler
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: Cornell Univ - State: AWDS MADE PRIOR MAY 2010
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 1999
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 1999-05-15 至 2002-04-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=9816259&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Collaborative; Research; Social; Exchange; Network

This is a project to develop and test a theory of network cohesion that stems from research on power and commitment in exchange networks. This formulation breaks new ground by integrating ideas from two previously distinct research programs, Network Exchange Theory and the Theory of Relational Cohesion. Network Exchange Theory is a formal theory of power in exchange relations that uses information about the network structure to predict power and the distribution of resources in networks. The Theory of Relational Cohesion deals with negotiated exchange in the context of a network, and predicts that structural power produces commitment to exchange partners through an intervening emotional-affective process. The new Theory of Network Cohesion combines the two via a formal mathematical model that predicts when networks of "self-interested" persons evolve into "collectively-oriented" groups. The theory is consistent with previous work on dyadic commitment, and generates new predictions for larger social exchange networks.The theoretical argument is that certain types of exchange networks generate feelings of global solidarity or cohesion, above and beyond any person-to-person dyadic commitment. Specifically, it hypothesizes that densely connected networks containing a high proportion of equal power relations should produce interactions that elicit feelings of groupness among all network members. Dense networks embody a type of structural "closeness" that virtually ensures all members have the potential to exchange resources with one another. Relatively dense social structures have fewer cliques, allow persons to easily interact with most or all others (high reachability), and exhibit less stratification of network positions. The distribution of power also has important consequences for the solidarity individuals experience in social interaction. The Theory of Relational Cohesion and attendant research indicate that equal power relations generate feelings of excitement or pleasure, and these emotions cause the relationship to become a valued object in its own right. Based on these principles, it is predicted that the combined effect of network density and distribution of power should produce "group-wide" feelings of solidarity that transcend local exchange ties.The theory will be tested in a fully computerized experimental setting wherein persons negotiate with partners over a pool of profit points that can be redeemed for cash. This is a form of negotiated social exchange where persons in relations must agree on the division of profit or earn nothing at all. The theory predicts that certain network configurations will lead to interactions and perceptions that bind members together and to the group as a whole. The project calls for four experiments, manipulating network density and the distribution of power, to determine how network structures foster (1) emotional attachments to the larger group as a distinct object and (2) behavioral acts of commitment directed at other group members. Two distinct forms of commitment behavior will be studied: a symbolic gesture with little extrinsic value (i.e., the giving of small token gifts) and a non-symbolic form of pecuniary self-restraint (i.e., the division of profit in a dictator game). Four experiments will measure both forms of behavior under a variety of network configurations.This project has broader implications for group solidarity and cohesion. Whether the setting involves corporate agents in commercial enterprise, salary negotiations between professional ball players and team owners, or the buyers and sellers of black-market goods, the structure of network relations largely determines who interacts with whom and the extent to which power is used to promote self-interest. The Theory of Network Cohesion predicts that under favorable network configurations, interactions and exchanges will be distributed across all group members and the distributions of profit will tend toward equality. The result will be that people experience mild everyday positive emotions, develop a sense of common experience and group identity, and refrain from opportunism or malfeasance.

这是一个开发和测试网络凝聚力理论的项目，该理论源于对交换网络中的权力和承诺的研究。这一提法融合了两个先前截然不同的研究项目--网络交换理论和关系凝聚力理论--的思想，从而开辟了新的领域。网络交换理论是关于交换关系中的权力的正式理论，它使用关于网络结构的信息来预测权力和资源在网络中的分布。关系凝聚力理论处理的是网络环境中的协商交换，并预测结构力量通过介入的情感-情感过程产生对交换伙伴的承诺。新的网络凝聚力理论通过一个正式的数学模型将两者结合起来，该模型预测了“自私自利”的人的网络何时演变为“集体导向”的群体。这一理论与之前关于二元承诺的工作是一致的，并为更大的社会交换网络产生了新的预测。理论论点是，某些类型的交换网络产生了全球团结或凝聚力的感觉，超过了任何人对人的二元承诺。具体地说，它假设，包含高比例平等权力关系的密集连接网络应该产生互动，在所有网络成员中引发群体性感觉。密集的网络体现了一种结构上的“紧密”，实际上确保了所有成员都有相互交换资源的潜力。相对密集的社会结构具有较少的集团，允许人们轻松地与大多数或所有其他人互动(高可达性)，并表现出较少的网络职位分层。权力的分配对个人在社会互动中所经历的团结也有重要影响。关系凝聚力理论及其相关研究表明，平等的权力关系会产生兴奋或愉悦的感觉，这些情感会使这种关系本身成为一种有价值的对象。基于这些原则，据预测，网络密度和权力分配的综合影响将产生超越当地交换关系的“集团范围”的团结感觉。这一理论将在完全计算机化的实验环境中进行测试，在这个环境中，人们与合作伙伴就可兑换现金的利润点数进行谈判。这是一种协商的社会交换形式，关系中的人必须就利润分配达成一致，否则就什么也赚不到。该理论预测，某些网络配置将导致互动和感知，将成员联系在一起，并将其作为一个整体联系在一起。该项目要求进行四个实验，操纵网络密度和权力分配，以确定网络结构如何培养(1)作为不同对象的对较大群体的情感依恋，以及(2)针对其他群体成员的承诺行为。两种不同形式的承诺行为将被研究：一种是没有外在价值的象征性姿态(即，赠送象征性的小礼物)，另一种是非象征性的金钱自我约束形式(即，在独裁者游戏中分配利润)。四个实验将测量不同网络配置下的两种行为形式。这个项目对群体团结和凝聚力具有更广泛的影响。无论是商业企业中的企业代理人，职业球员和球队老板之间的工资谈判，还是黑市商品的买家和卖家，网络关系的结构在很大程度上决定了谁与谁互动，以及权力被用来促进自身利益的程度。网络凝聚力理论预测，在有利的网络配置下，互动和交换将在所有群体成员之间分配，利益分配将趋于平等。其结果是，人们每天都会体验到温和的积极情绪，形成一种共同的体验和群体认同感，并避免机会主义或渎职行为。