Networks and Religion

Social scientists who study religion generally believe that social networks play a central role in religious life. However, most studies draw on measures that are relatively poor proxies for capturing the effects of social networks. This book illustrates how researchers can draw on formal social network analysis methods to explore the interplay of networks and religion. The book's introductory chapters provide overviews of the social scientific study of religion and social network analysis. The remaining chapters explore a variety of topics current in the social scientific study of religion, as well as introducing a variety of social network theories and methods, such as balance theory, ego-network analysis, exponential random graph models, and stochastic actor-oriented models. By embedding social network analysis within a social scientific study of religion framework, Networks and Religion offers an array of approaches for studying the role that social networks play in religious belief and practice.

• Illustrates how social scientists can use formal social network analysis (SNA) methods to better explore religious belief and practice
• The book begins with two introductory chapters: one that introduces the social scientific study of religion and one that introduces SNA, which will benefit readers with little or no background in either or both disciplines
• The book is organized topically (e.g. politics and community, health and happiness) which makes it accessible and interesting