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Sex and race homogeneity in naturally occurring groups

Publication ,  Journal Article
Mayhew, BH; Mc Pherson, JM; Rotolo, T; Smith-Lovin, L
Published in: Social Forces
January 1, 1995

We generate a number of hypotheses about face-to-face groups using the energy distribution principle: the frequency of an event is inversely related to the amount of energy expended in that event. The principle predicts that (1) the size of groups will be inversely related to the frequency of their occurrence; (2) at any group size, the composition of social positions will be less heterogeneous than chance; and, (3) as group size increases, observed compositional homogeneity will decline at a slower rate than chance. We test these hypotheses using data on more than 100, 000 naturally occurring, public, face-to-face groups gathered in sampling sweeps through two communities over a three-year period. The data support the hypotheses and yield interesting differences in the strength of sex and race heterogeneity. We discuss the findings as they relate to the general energy distribution principle and to other sociological perspectives. © 1995 The University of North Carolina Press.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Social Forces

DOI

EISSN

1534-7605

ISSN

0037-7732

Publication Date

January 1, 1995

Volume

74

Issue

1

Start / End Page

15 / 52

Related Subject Headings

  • Sociology
  • 4410 Sociology
  • 1608 Sociology
 

Citation

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Mayhew, B. H., Mc Pherson, J. M., Rotolo, T., & Smith-Lovin, L. (1995). Sex and race homogeneity in naturally occurring groups. Social Forces, 74(1), 15–52. https://doi.org/10.1093/sf/74.1.15
Mayhew, B. H., J. M. Mc Pherson, T. Rotolo, and L. Smith-Lovin. “Sex and race homogeneity in naturally occurring groups.” Social Forces 74, no. 1 (January 1, 1995): 15–52. https://doi.org/10.1093/sf/74.1.15.
Mayhew BH, Mc Pherson JM, Rotolo T, Smith-Lovin L. Sex and race homogeneity in naturally occurring groups. Social Forces. 1995 Jan 1;74(1):15–52.
Mayhew, B. H., et al. “Sex and race homogeneity in naturally occurring groups.” Social Forces, vol. 74, no. 1, Jan. 1995, pp. 15–52. Scopus, doi:10.1093/sf/74.1.15.
Mayhew BH, Mc Pherson JM, Rotolo T, Smith-Lovin L. Sex and race homogeneity in naturally occurring groups. Social Forces. 1995 Jan 1;74(1):15–52.
Journal cover image

Published In

Social Forces

DOI

EISSN

1534-7605

ISSN

0037-7732

Publication Date

January 1, 1995

Volume

74

Issue

1

Start / End Page

15 / 52

Related Subject Headings

  • Sociology
  • 4410 Sociology
  • 1608 Sociology