Core Discussion Networks of Americans
Abstract
Aspects of interpersonal networks in which Americans discuss important matters are examined using data from the 1985 General Social Survey. These are the first survey network data representative of the American population. The networks are small, kin-centered, relatively dense, and homogeneous in comparison with the sample of respondents. Bivariate examination of subgroup differences by age, education, racelethnicity, sex, and size of place indicates that network range is greatest among the young, the highly educated, and metropolitan residents. Sex differences consist primarily of differences in kin/nonkin composition of networks.
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- Authors
- Marsden, P. V.
- Corresponding author
- Marsden, Peter V.
- ORCID
- Marsden, Peter V.
- Venue
- American Sociological Review
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 1987-02
- Volume
- 52
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 122
- ISSN
- 0003-1224 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1997733761
- Cited by
- 1,921
- References
- 23
- Citations by year
- 2026: 51 · 2025: 56 · 2024: 36 · 2023: 64 · 2022: 74 · 2021: 135 · 2020: 101 · 2019: 68 · 2018: 87 · 2017: 78 · 2016: 77 · 2015: 95 · 2014: 93 · 2013: 91 · 2012: 92
- FWCI
- 40.71
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- American Sociological Review (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Social Capital and Networks
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Social Power and Status Dynamics
- Social Sciences › Demography › Family Dynamics and Relationships
- Keywords
- interpersonal networks, discussion networks, family networks, network density, network homogeneity, network size, subgroup differences, age differences, educational attainment, race and ethnicity, sex differences, metropolitan residence
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