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Spread of Ideas & Behaviours

Small World & Scale Free Networks

In a small world network (shown on the left), individuals will typically be influenced by a small number of close associates (such as family members or friends), with the occasional more 'long range' contact. Compared to the size of the total population, no single individual will (in general) influence large numbers of others.

 

In a scale free network (above right), most individuals will also be influenced by a small number of close associates. But in addition, there will be a small number of individuals who do influence large numbers of other individuals.