Work

Assessing frustration in real-world signed networks: A statistical theory of balance

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: According to the so-called strong version of structural balance theory, actors in signed social networks avoid establishing triads with an odd number of negative links. Generalizing, the weak version of balance theory allows for nodes to be partitioned into any number of blocks with positive internal links, mutually connected by negative links. If this prescription is interpreted rigidly, i.e., without allowing for statistical noise in the observed link signs, then most real graphs will appear to require a larger number of blocks than the actual one, or even to violate both versions of the theory. This might lead to conclusions invoking even more relaxed notions of balance. Here, after rephrasing structural balance theory in statistically testable terms, we propose an inference scheme to unambiguously assess whether a real-world signed graph is balanced. We find that the proposed statistical balance theory leads to interpretations that are quite different from those derived from the current deterministic versions of the theory. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Source: Physical Review Research

DOI: 10.1103/physrevresearch.6.l042065

Authors: Anna Gallo, Diego Garlaschelli, Tiziano Squartini

Institutions: IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca, Istituto Nazionale di Alta Matematica Francesco Severi, Gruppo Nazionale per l'Analisi Matematica, la Probabilità e le loro Applicazioni, Scuola Normale Superiore

Language: English

Topic: Complex Network Analysis Techniques

Subfield: Statistical and Nonlinear Physics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,625

Funders: European Commission, Ministerie van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap, Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, NextGenerationEU