Structural Cohesion and Equivalence Explanations of Social Homogeneity

Abstract

This article is concerned with the problem of the relative contributions of structural cohesion and equivalence to the explanation of social homogeneity. Structural Cohesion models are explanatory models in that they are based on causal assumptions concerning the effects of structural cohesion upon individuals' attitudes and behaviors. The results of the present analysis indicate that direct and short indirect communication channels are critical components of cohesion models that largely account for their success in predicting social homogeneity. However, not all social homogeneity is caused by structural cohesion. Structural equivalence models offer a general approach for mapping the distribution of social homogeneity in a population. Rejection of the null hypothesis of no difference in homogeneity between structurally equivalent and nonequivalent persons supports the construct validity of structural equivalence with respect to its use as an indicator of social homogeneity. The present results provide little support for the additional claim that structural equivalence provides some explanation of social homogeneity.

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