2.4. Methodology for Social Network Definition

Number 2; structural equivalents or position and role what is that? The 2 people they do not interact with each other or they may not know each other at all, but they belong to same position like in a hospital, 2 doctors, they may not meet to know each other, or they may not know actually, but they have a same position that they are a doctor in a same hospital, the hospital is very big so, they have same role and same positions.

Structural equivalence refers to a condition where two individuals do not have direct interactions but belong to the same position or role within a larger system. For example, two doctors in a large hospital may never meet each other, yet they are both recognized as doctors and can be said to have the same structural position within that network. This illustrates that roles can assign individuals to similar social contexts, allowing them to share connections indirectly through others.

Imagine a large university where numerous professors teach different subjects. Two professors who have never met each other may still share the same position as faculty members, contributing to a common academic community, influencing each other's students indirectly, and partaking in similar professional development opportunities.

Then people can also indirectly observe each other and compare each other and collect informations from them okay, in directly or maybe you can imagine that students in a school a researchers in IIT Roorkee, so being a they do not know each other but being in same institution in IIT Roorkee gives them a kind of same kind of socialization or training to groom up to get some kind of informations okay.

Even if individuals do not interact directly, they can still indirectly exchange information and insights by observing each other's behaviors. For instance, students or researchers within the same institution may never talk face-to-face but they observe one another's work and methods, allowing them to gather knowledge and insights through indirect forms of socialization.

Think of it like a large group of athletes training at different times in a gym. Even if they do not train together, they notice how others lift weights, stretch, or use equipment. This indirect observation helps them learn techniques or adjust their own training for better performance.

So, like here you can imagine that this is a community or society network total Y, there are five actors so, we can see the role here like A and B, they do not have direct relationship with each other, but they belong to one group why; because A and B have same interrelationship with C and D like both A; A has a relationship with C and D similarly, B has a relationship with C and D, they are not connected with any other actors in this network.

This illustrates how group dynamics work in social networks. A and B do not know each other directly, but share common connections with other members (C and D). This emphasizes that belonging to the same network does not require direct interaction; it can be maintained through shared relationships with other members.

Consider two people attending a conference who have never met. They might both know the same speaker, which makes them part of a common network through the speaker, even though they are complete strangers. If they later connect through networking, they might find they have much in common despite their previous lack of interaction.

The role of structural equivalence, it promotes competition, 2 colleagues, they are competing with each other or it kind of gives you some socialization process, you do not know your researchers in IIT Roorkee, does not matter, somebody in biology department, somebody in engineering department, somebody in a planning department but you have some kind of orientation, some kind of training, it does not matter if you do not know each other, your teachers grooming you.

Structural equivalence can lead to competition among individuals who occupy similar roles within a network. For example, researchers in different departments at a university might not know each other directly but may be striving for similar grants or recognition, thus fostering a competitive atmosphere. The shared training and institutional context contribute to their professional development, enhancing their competiveness.

Imagine a group of chefs in a large culinary school. They may not interact daily, but they can see each other’s dishes and achievements in competitions. This indirect competition and observation motivate them to improve their skills, even without direct contact, as they are groomed by the same instructors.

Another dimension is the spatial dimension; spatial groups, you like or not like, you need to interact with your neighbours and they influencing you, you are also influencing them so, you need to you are interacting face to face, talking to them watching them so, direct and indirect influence always there, so people started to leave in one common place also, they have a similar kind of habit or attitude.

The spatial dimension highlights how geographical proximity influences social interaction. People living close to one another have direct communication, leading to both direct and indirect social influences. Their shared environment fosters common experiences, forming group dynamics based on their spatial relationships.

Consider a neighborhood where all residents share a common park. Families may not know each other's names but they see each other regularly at the park, leading to interactions and influence, such as sharing parenting tips or community events. Living in the same neighborhood creates a shared culture, as residents develop similar habits and attitudes.

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