Networks Imagined to Reality: Social Network Distance Perceptions Create Network Ties

Abstract: We examine a novel explanation for network tie formation – mental maps of social networks. In two experiments and a field study, we find that mental maps—specifically perceived network distance to others—uniquely predict both intended and actual tie formation in professional networks, even when accounting for more prominent explanations of tie formation such as actual network structures. Additionally, we examine what informs mental maps of networks: perceiving similarity (versus dissimilarity) with another person leads to perceiving them as closer in one’s network (i.e., shorter perceived network distance). This suggests that network connections may be explained by the heuristic approaches people use to understand their social networks, independent of actual network structure. This also uncovers a self-fulfilling prophecy of homophily. The networks in people’s minds may be shaped by assumptions of homophily, and people may behave in ways that make those imagined networks a homophilous reality.

Keywords: social networks, network cognition, similarity, tie formation, homophily