Leveraging social relations modelling and social network analysis to understand the structure and nature of interpersonal dynamics in groups

Social relations and social network approaches can address the distinct challenges of studying interpersonal phenomena and the patterns of relationships within groups, yet they continue to be under-utilized in sport and exercise domains. In the current paper, we encourage the use of advanced quantitative tools from social relations and social network approaches to use group members’ perceptions of one another or their interpersonal ties to study interpersonal dynamics. We specifically articulate the need for these tools within a domain of research that we term small group interpersonal dynamics. Such research acknowledges the dyadic components of groups by collecting data about team member interactions and relationships to study the emergence and maintenance of relationships, or how relationships influence group members. We describe why sport and exercise scholars should ‘care’ about social relations and network approaches, identify how scholars can design studies and articulate research questions that align with these approaches, and communicate key methodological considerations for each approach. Because the optimal analysis tool for one’s approach to study relationships in groups depends on several factors, we emphasize the need to seek congruence between theory, strategies to gather and manage data, and analyses.