The Structure Entropy of Social Networks

Micro triadic structure is an important motif and serves the building block of complex networks.In this paper,the authors define structure entropy for a social network and explain this concept by using the coded triads proposed by Davis and Leinhardt in 1972.The proposed structure entropy serves as a new macro-evolution index to measure the network’s stability at a given timestamp.Empirical analysis of real-world network structure entropy discloses rich information on the mechanism that yields given triadic motifs frequency distribution.This paper illustrates the intrinsic link between the micro dyadic/triadic motifs and network structure entropy.Importantly,the authors find that the high proportion of reciprocity and transitivity results in the emergence of hierarchy,order,and cooperation of online social networks.