Interpersonal Choice and Networks in China

Abstract

Personal choices and relations in China, a socialist country at early stages of industrialization and economic development, seem to be remarkably similar to those in the United States, a capitalist country at advanced stages, quite possibly because particularism governs personal relations regardless of cultural, political, or economic differences. In-group choices are at a maximum for young adults and decline after the thirties in both countries. Including kin in one's discussion network reduces homophily and increases, directly as well as indirectly, diversity in the networks of both. In-group choices mathematically constrain diversity but are not the only influence on it in China or the U.S. Confining discussions of serious matters largely to a friendship clique narrows the range of associates for Chinese as well as Americans. An interesting difference is that Chinese kin tend to act as brokers who link a person to diverse nonkin associates, whereas the data provide no evidence that American kin do.