Networked Influence in Social Media: Introduction to the Special Issue. (September 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gruzd, Anatoliy; Wellman, Barry
• Other Names: Gruzd Anatoliy guest-editor.; Wellman Barry guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: American behavioral scientist. Volume 58:Number 10(2014:Oct.)
• Page Start: 1251
• Page End: 1259
• Publication Date: 2014-09
• Subjects: social media -- influence -- Introduction to the Special Issue; Social sciences -- Periodicals; Political science -- Periodicals; United States -- Social conditions -- Periodicals; United States -- Politics and government -- Periodicals; 300
• DOI: 10.1177/0002764214527087
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0002-7642

Abstract

This special issue presents leading-edge work into how the characteristics of social media affect the nature of influence in networks. Our central thesis is that social influence has become networked influence. Influence is networked in two ways: by occurring in social networks and by propagating through online communication networks. We want to understand online social influence in its diversity: who is exercising influence, how it is done, how to measure influence, what its consequences are, and how online and offline influences intertwine in different contexts.