The Power of Structure in Exchange

Abstract

The objective of this exercise is to emphasize the importance of environmental factors in exchange – specifically, an actor’s position within a network. Research on network exchange theory (NET) has a long history of examining how the structure of a network influences exchange, noting how network structure can both encourage and discourage exchanges. This...

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Details

Subject Area(s):

Social Psychology

Resource Type(s):

Class Activity

Class Level(s):

College 400

Class Size(s):

Small

Usage Notes

The objective of this activity is to emphasize the importance of environmental factors in exchange – specifically, an actor’s position within a network. Research on network exchange theory (NET) has a long history of examining how the structure of a network influences exchange, noting how network structure can both encourage and discourage exchanges. This...

Learning Goals and Assessments

Learning Goal(s):

1. Students will participate in an in-class activity that will highlight the importance of their position in the network. By participating in this activity, students will learn how their position in the network either encourages or discourages exchange.
2. Students will discuss the in-class activity they participated in and be introduced to network exchange theory (NET), the differences between strong and weak networks, and how to calculate and use the graph-theoretic power index (GPI).

Goal Assessment(s):

1. Students will fill out a question and answer sheet for each round of exchange. For each round of exchange, students will be asked a series of questions that will have them reflect on how their position in the network affects their ability to exchange.
2. Students’ knowledge on network exchange theory (NET) will be assessed based on a homework assignment given at the end of class. This homework assignment will be completed outside of the classroom and will be due the next class period.