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Sensitivity Analysis for Contagion Effects in Social Networks

Author

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  • Tyler J. VanderWeele

    (Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA, tvanderw@hsph.harvard.edu)

Abstract

Analyses of social network data have suggested that obesity, smoking, happiness, and loneliness all travel through social networks. Individuals exert ‘‘contagion effects’’ on one another through social ties and association. These analyses have come under critique because of the possibility that homophily from unmeasured factors may explain these statistical associations and because similar findings can be obtained when the same methodology is applied to height, acne, and headaches, for which the conclusion of contagion effects seems somewhat less plausible. The author uses sensitivity analysis techniques to assess the extent to which supposed contagion effects for obesity, smoking, happiness, and loneliness might be explained away by homophily or confounding and the extent to which the critique using analysis of data on height, acne, and headaches is relevant. Sensitivity analyses suggest that contagion effects for obesity and smoking cessation are reasonably robust to possible latent homophily or environmental confounding; those for happiness and loneliness are somewhat less so. Supposed effects for height, acne, and headaches are all easily explained away by latent homophily and confounding. The methodology that has been used in past studies for contagion effects in social networks, when used in conjunction with sensitivity analysis, may prove useful in establishing social influence for various behaviors and states. The sensitivity analysis approach can be used to address the critique of latent homophily as a possible explanation of associations interpreted as contagion effects.

Suggested Citation

  • Tyler J. VanderWeele, 2011. "Sensitivity Analysis for Contagion Effects in Social Networks," Sociological Methods & Research, , vol. 40(2), pages 240-255, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:somere:v:40:y:2011:i:2:p:240-255
    DOI: 10.1177/0049124111404821
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Peter Spirtes & Clark Glymour & Richard Scheines, 2001. "Causation, Prediction, and Search, 2nd Edition," MIT Press Books, The MIT Press, edition 1, volume 1, number 0262194406, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Fortin, Bernard & Yazbeck, Myra, 2015. "Peer effects, fast food consumption and adolescent weight gain," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 125-138.
    2. Shalizi Cosma Rohilla, 2012. "Comment on "Why and When 'Flawed' Social Network Analyses Still Yield Valid Tests of no Contagion"," Statistics, Politics and Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 3(1), pages 1-5, February.
    3. Lincoln, James R. & Doerr, Bernadette, 2012. "Cultural Effects on Employee Loyalty in Japan and The U. S.: Individual- or Organization-Level? An Analysis of Plant and Employee Survey Data from the 80’s," Institute for Research on Labor and Employment, Working Paper Series qt8sc9k91b, Institute of Industrial Relations, UC Berkeley.

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