Social Networks, Effects on Developed Relationships

Defining Aspects of Social Networks

The global social network is a collection of all individuals with whom we are personally acquainted. Social networks can vary in structure in a number of ways. For instance, the size of a social network varies for individuals, with some people having smaller networks and others having more expansive ones. Further, some networks are considered higher in density because they are more closely knit, with many members of the network being directly acquainted with each other. Often these networks are higher in intensity, meaning members are more willing to respond to the expectations of their social network. Meanwhile, others are lower in density, with fewer within-network associations, and may be higher in distance, such that associations within the network are more indirect (e.g., Andrea knows of Vincent because Vincent is friends with her sister). Alternatively, it may only be that subsets of individuals within a network may be closely linked with each other, whereas others are not. This is referred to as clustering or the development of cliques within one's network.

Each social network is typically composed of family members as well as nonfamily members, such as friends, neighbors, and coworkers. As such, within the global network, there are subsets of individuals who constitute

• The psychological network—people to whom one feels close (e.g., one's significant others).
• The exchange network—those who are important to the individual because they provide resources or are those to whom the individual provides support.
• The interactive network—those with whom one regularly communicates.

These categorizations are not mutually exclusive. Rather, it is common for there to be overlap across these different networks. In fact, much of the research on social networks has focused on the inner circle of significant others who are exchange and interactive network members, in addition to members of the psychological network. Personal relationships with these individuals can significantly impact one's physical and mental well-being. In addition, these social network relations can influence one's relations with others within the network, such as the development, quality, and fate of one's romantic relationships.

Social Network Influences

There have been four primary avenues of research examining the influences of social networks on romantic relationship dynamics:

• 1.
  Studying how networks contribute to relationship initiation by facilitating introductions of potential partners (e.g., “matchmaking”)
• 2.
  Examining how aspects of global network structure (e.g., size, density, intensity) contribute to relationship quality
• 3.
  Investigating how the provision of resources (e.g., finances, advice) from the social network affects different relationship aspects
• 4.
  Exploring associations between social network perceptions (e.g., approval, disapproval, perceptions of the likelihood of the relationship succeeding) and relationship state and fate

Within each of these foci, one theme is consistent: Social networks are important for a variety of romantic relationship variables, from the beginning of the romantic relationship to its end.

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