A Network Theory Revisited

this chapter I review empirical studies directly testing the hypotheses of m y 1973 paper " T h e Strength of Weak Ties" (hereafter "SWT") and work that elaborates those hypotheses theoretically or uses them to suggest new empirical research not discussed in my original formulation. Along the way, I will reconsider various aspects of the theoretical argument, attempt to plug some holes, and broaden its base. The Argument Recapitulated T h e argument asserts that our acquaintances (weak ties) are less likely to be socially involved with one another than are our close friends (strong ties). T h u s the set of people made u p of any individual I a m indebted to Everett Rogers who first suggested this study, inviting it for a special session of the International Communications Association meetings on the weak-ties hypothesis. T h e first version was delivered at this session in Acapulco on May 21, 1980. A version closer to the present one was delivered at the conference on Structural Analysis, April 4, 1981, SUNY-Albany. I a m indebted to participants in these two conferences for their generous comments-especially Rice. T h i s chapter has also drawn heavily from the comments and literature review of Ellen Granovetter.