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The homophily and polarization connection

Fatal attraction - Homophily

The Partisan effect

Homophily as we know it

 
Polarization and homophily
            There are multitudes of factors that contribute to homophily in social media.  This includes a desire and tendency to bond (connect) with other individuals who have similar interests, values, and beliefs (Bauer, 2015).

            Individuals who attract one another with similar values can also gravitate towards those who have similar personalities, likes, dislikes, and are often seen as a reflection of themselves (Retica, 2006).

            Homophily and social media are interconnected as both influence each other.  Platforms are used as places where “like” persons can communicate and bond.  Social media platforms create an environment where individuals can engage in shared interests and engage in many levels of relationships.  Social media algorithms influence individuals or groups that attract partisan behavior (Agrawal, 2016).

            For more information on homophily, please click link to read more.

https://charmckaypov.blogspot.com/2017/07/what-did-duck-say-to-sparrow.html


Intensifying Homophily risks in social media


Social Media - A risky business

            Social media algorithms can intensify homophily and create cognitive bias that can result in isolation or polarization.  This can raise potential risks when individuals engage in social media.  “Biased assimilation” is based on “opinion formation” where individuals interpret as drawing conclusions or extreme opinion.  In homophilous networks such as on social media platforms result in polarization which represents personalized content (Dandekar, Goel, & Lee, 2013).

            Echo-chamber effect increases polarization as homophily increases the interaction of individuals who share the same point of view, taking extreme measures to be heard and expect a
following.  The internet along with cable news or talk show radio can have the potential to
manipulate the validity of information source to tailor towards a specific crowd to empower their message against those that disagree.  The result is to influence opinions who share the same insight (Dandekar, et al, 2013).

            According to Pew Internet project, discussion on certain social media platforms are more likely to indicate “polarized crowd” where a forum of different political groups is discussing the same subject matter but in different capacities; talking past on another in conversation.  Separate groups in the same forum communicate same beliefs while disregarding everyone else’s opinion that different from their own.  Political communication is “highly partisan” further driving polarization; this being apparent in blogging and furthermore in microblogging platform (Wihbey, 2015).

            Using the internet and popular media platforms for political purposes can lead to amplifying polarization – this is done by spreading rumors, misinformation, and hate speeches.  The social arena becomes a toxic environment as it fills the online realm wit trolls, liars, and those that preach hate, smear campaigns, and marginalizing what the original purpose or intent was (Friedman, 2016).


Use Protection – Protect yourself


Fight for your rights

Technology has enabled most individuals to expand connections that include internet and online engagement.  As we do more activities online, social gathering and making connections,
there is an increase in the potential risk factor where information provided cane compromised or be used against an individual.  Privacy is no longer respected and individuals who become victims of online trolling, bullying or whose identity is stolen will a very difficult time recovering from these instances; emotionally and physically (Caplinskas, 2015).

“Media as a gatekeeper” is defined as media outlets that control the information that is
filtered then transmitted to the individual.  The gate keeping limits decide whether information channeled through communication is relayed.  Limiting the message itself can be manipulated by personal bias and more subjective, rather than objective based on evidence and facts (M Libraries, 2017).

There are simple ways to create a secured environment that protects oneself against the many risks on social media platforms.  One example is accidental errors like accidental tweets or unknowingly clicking on “phishing” links.  Human error is one of the most common security threats.  Being cognizant of what is written, posted or pictured is one way protecting against unwanted trolling or bullying.  Responding to posts or making remarks to blogs or post full of misinformation can be a threat as opinions are now out there for everyone to see, read and react to.  Make informative decisions and double check if the information that is provided is factual.  Monitor your blog or networks closely and make sure it is understood about what to look for (Hootsuite, 2017).




References


Agrawal, A. (2016).  What Do Social Media Algorithms Mean to You?  Retrieved from: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.forbes.com/sites/ajagrawal/2016/04/20/what-do-social-media-algorithms-mean-for-you/amp/

Bauer, T. (2015).  Homophily and business.  Retrieved from: http://thecontextofthings.com/2015/07/13/homophily-and-business/

Caplinskas, M. (2015).  8 Simple Ways to minimize Online Risk.  Retrieved from: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/243233

Dandekar, P., Goel, A., & Lee, D. (2013).  Biased assimilation, homophily, and the dynamics of polarization.  Retrieved from: http://m.pnas.org/content/110/15/5791.full

Friedman, T. (2016).  Social Media: Destroyer or Creator?  Retrieved from: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/03/opinion/social-media-destroyer-or-creator.html?mcubz=1

Hootsuite. (2017).  5 Social Media Security Risks and How to Avoid Them
Retrieved from:https://www.google.com/amp/s/blog.hootsuite.com/social-media-security-for-business/amp/

M Libraries. (2017). Communication in the Real World: An Introduction to Communication Studies.  Retrieved from: http://open.lib.umn.edu/communication/chapter/15-2-functions- and-theories-of-mass-communication/

Retica, A. (2016). Homophily.  Retrieved from: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/10/magazine/10Section2a.t-4.html
Wihbey, J. (2015).  Does Facebook drive political polarization?  Data science and research.  Retrieved from: https://journalistsresource.org/studies/society/social-media/facebook-political-polarization-data-science-research

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