A Structural Theory of Social Influence [Paperback]

An account of consensus formation that is unique in its integration of work from the fields of social psychology and sociology.This book describes how a network of interpersonal influence can operate to form agreeements among persons who occupy different positions in a group or organization. It presents an account of consensus formation that is unique in its integration of work from the fields of social psychology and sociology concerned with group dynamics and social structures.This book describes how a network of interpersonal influence can operate to form agreeements among persons who occupy different positions in a group or organization. It presents an account of consensus formation that is unique in its integration of work from the fields of social psychology and sociology concerned with group dynamics and social structures.This book describes how a network of interpersonal influence can operate to form agreements among persons who occupy different positions in a group or organization. It presents an account of consensus formation that is unique in its integration of work from the fields of social psychology and sociology concerned with group dynamics and social structures.List of tables and figures; Preface; Part A. Theory and Setting: 1. Social structure and social Control; 2. Toward a structural social psychology; 3. A setting in the scientific community; Part B. Measures of the Theoretical Constructs: 4. A structural parameterization; 5. Interpersonal influence; 6. Self and other; 7. Social positions; Part C. Analysis: 8. The structure of social space; 9. The production of consensus; 10. Influence of actors and social positions; 11. Durkheim's vision; References; Index. Friedkin's book engages a central problem in network analysis, that of showing that studies of the patterning of social relations can inform substantive research. In linking structure to outcomes, it bears on a much-publicized debate about the structural basis of social influence and atteml#�