The Role of Trust in the Evolution of College Friendships

Abstract

The influence of individual characteristics on social structures is a key issue in sociological research. This study examines the evolution of social networks among freshmen at a Russian university to determine the role of generalized trust in social integration. It is demonstrated that trustful individuals are more likely to enter into relationships with people with whom they have no mutual friends and to expand their social networks. Empirical evidence is consistent with the theoretical prediction of sociologists, James S. Colman and Eric M. Uslaner in particular, that interpersonal trust has an impact on the whole social structure, which means it determines how societies function.

Keywords

• higher education
• social network analysis
• social networks
• trust
• generalized trust
• social integration
• social network dynamics
• student networks