Citation

Weimann G. Soc. Netw. 1983; 5(3): 289-302.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1983, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/0378-8733(83)90029-1

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The present study applies the small world method to examine cross-ethnic acquaintance networks in Israeli society. The experimental design consisted of 144 starting persons who were presented with either an Oriental or Ashkenazi target person, thus yielding four types of ethnic combinations: (1) Ashkenazi to Ashkenazi; (2) Ashkenazi to Oriental; (3) Oriental to Oriental; and (4) Oriental to Ashkenazi. The various chains are analyzed by measures of activation efficiency, completion rates and length of chains, as well as probabilistic analysis for small world statistics. Finally, the analysis focuses on the intergroup bridges, the "gatekeepers" who perform the crossing of the ethnic boundary.
The findings prove that acquaintance networks in Israeli society are impinged upon by ethnic distinction, thus rejecting the "integration-through-modernization" concept. While ethnic segregation in Israel was empirically documented in the political, cultural and economic aspects of social life, the present study's main contribution is in highlighting the interpersonal dimension of ethnicity.