Interaction Theory and the Social Network

Interaction theorists have delineated the close association in friendship relations between value consensus, affectional closeness, and interaction. Categorical investigations of the social network have focused upon frequency of interaction with friends and kin. In the present paper a componential theory of attraction in the social network is developed in order to link previous theoretical discussions with the empirical social network categories. Two attractional variables, one based upon consensus and the other upon positive concern, are perceived as interpreting friendship and kinship involvements. Consensus tends to be modal in friendship and positive concern in kinship, though there are cross-categorical similarities as well as differences. The further implications of such a componential approach to the social network, and to the primary relationship, are outlined.