Signed network

In a social network analysis (as in blockmodeling), a positive or a negative 'friendship' can be established between two nodes in a network; this results in a signed network. As social interaction between people can be positive or negative, so can be links between the nodes (representing persons).[1]

Panel F consists of two types of ties: friendship (solid line) and dislike (dashed line). In this case, two actors being friends both dislike a common third (or, similarly, two actors that dislike a common third tend to be friends).

When a positive or a negative value is attributed on the relationship between the two nodes, it is called a user evaluation.[2] In social groups, people can like or dislike, respect or disrespect other people in their social groups.[3]

The quality of such connections can be further analysed, as a positive connections can have a positive influence on the whole network (one person on social group or society in general) and vice versa.[4]

When network connections are not evaluated between the nodes (e.g., all connections are regarded as positive - as they exist), then such a network is defined as an unsigned network.[5]