Longitudinal approach to subgroup formation: re-analysis of Newcomb's fraternity data

Abstract Though longitudinal research is infrequent in the social sciences, information obtained through longitudinal investigation provides knowledge which cannot be acquired through cross-sectional research. In this paper we demonstrate how a longitudinal measure (i.e., positional stability) provides a new perspective in understanding small group structures and the individual characteristics of group members. We analyzed the classic longitudinal sociometric data collected by T. Newcomb on college students in the 1950s. The measure of positional stability of individuals over time is shown to correspond to the resulting subgroups as well as an individual's popularity, knowledge of others, and agreement with the group consensus.

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