A dynamic process reference model for sparse networks with reciprocity. Issue 1 (2nd January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Butts, Carter T.
• Is Part Of: Journal of mathematical sociology. Volume 46:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 27
• Publication Date: 2022-01-02
• Subjects: Exponential family random graph models -- reciprocity -- reference measures -- social networks -- dynamic processes -- contact formation process; Sociology -- Periodicals; Sociology -- Mathematical models -- Periodicals; 301.0151
• DOI: 10.1080/0022250X.2020.1795652
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-250X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Many social and other networks exhibit stable size scaling relationships, such that features such as mean degree or reciprocation rates change slowly or are approximately constant as the number of vertices increases. Statistical network models built on top of simple Bernoulli baseline (or reference) measures often behave unrealistically in this respect, leading to the development of sparse reference models that preserve features such as mean degree scaling. In this paper, we generalize recent work on the micro-foundations of such reference models to the case of sparse directed graphs with non-vanishing reciprocity, providing a dynamic process interpretation of the emergence of stable macroscopic behavior.