Lecture 3

Question 1

Network society (Van Dijk)

Answer 1

a modern type of society with an infrastructure of social and media networks than characterizes its mode of organization at every level: individual, organizational and societal. Focus on digital communication, media networks replacing or complementing face-to-face communication.

Question 2

Network society (Castells)

Answer 2

Also focuses on importance of digital communication. Space of flows: allowing for annihilation of space and globalization (being in different places at once). Power rests in networks and networks are the basic unit of society.

Question 3

ego-centered networks

Answer 3

studying networks from a perspective of one individual . The perspective of a single actor (ego)

Question 4

complete networks

Answer 4

all existing relationships are visible

Question 5

social relations as a subject to study

Answer 5

• social relations not always recognized, lack of credibility (lacks objectivity), no effect of objective outcomes
• social relations important for well-being and health, determine access to social support, can buffer stress, know different manifestations in different contexts

Question 6

The convoy model

Answer 6

individuals are surrounded by supportive other who move with them throughout their life course. Emphasis on emotional closeness in relationships.

Question 7

life course perspective

Answer 7

the convoy itself provides a protective base and is part of a dynamic network that moves through time, space, and life course.

Question 8

dimensions of social relations

Answer 8

structure: size, composition, contact frequency
function: n social support, care, affect
quality: subjective assessment (positive of negative)

Question 9

individualization

Answer 9

process in which individual have acquired mor autonomy and freedom of choice in the last decade

Question 10

non-kin in personal networks (Suanet)

Answer 10

• loss of embeddedness and constraints within traditional social communities (individualization)
• impact of social changes on age-related changes in proportion non-kin in personal networks (main aim)

Question 11

social-emotional selectivity theory

Answer 11

• shift in motivations for social interactions
• emotional regulation becomes important as one gets older
• number of ties decline with age
• changes in society cast doubt on whether this theory is still valid

Question 12

reciprocity theory

Answer 12

• giving and receiving of social support of balance

- people look for ties in which support exchange is balanced