Weblog (2): Six Degrees of Separation: Strong & Weak Ties

Six Degrees of Separation: Strong & Weak Ties

Relationships in a network are commonly referred to as ‘ties’. To understand the impact of these ties in a network, it is paramount to look at their structure, strength, and value within the network (Granovetter, 1973, 1982, Watts, 2003). Ties are categorised as strong and weak ones. Weak ties are ties in the second or lesser degree, and bridge the gap between other networks or actors more easily than strong ties (Granovetter, 1982, Newman, Barabasi & Watts, 2006, Watts, 2003). They are also better able to accelerate the distribution of new information, as well as the collection, annotation and re-contextualization of content (Maher, 2010).
Strong ties on the other hand are generally connections in the first degree, such as those between relatives (Granovetter, 1973, 1982, Watts, 2003). Strong ties keep information within these ‘bordered’ relationships and they do not necessarily enrich and extend information and knowledge (Maher, 2010) beyond their existing network. Comparatively, these ties are at a disadvantage to weak ones when it comes to gathering new information, increasing the size of their network, or diffusing an innovation.
The ties people make effect the form of the network, and the form of the network effects the ties people make (Newman, Barabasi & Watts, 2006). The concept of the Six Degrees of Separation embodies the notion that weak ties beneficially mediate between new networks and actors at large. The interconnectivity and acceleration of (intermediated) communication highlights the importance of weak ties, as a multiplicity of weak ties quickens the distribution of new information, as well as the collection, annotation and re-contextualization of content.


References:


Maher, M. L. Year. Motivation and Collective Intelligence: Design Lessons In: Collective Intelligence 14 April 2010 University of Sydney.

Newman, M., Barabasi, A.L & Watts, D.J. 2006. The Structure and Dynamics of Networks, Princeton, Princeton University Press.

Watts, D. J. 2003. Six Degrees: The Science of a Connected Age, London, Vintage Books.