The Strength of Weak Ties’

Mark S. Granovetter
Johns Hopkins University

Analysis of social networks is suggested as a tool for linking micro
and macro levels of sociological theory. The procedure is illustrated
by elaboration of the macro implications of one aspect of small-scale
interaction: the strength of dyadic ties. It is argued that the degree
of overlap of two individuals’ friendship networks varies directly
with the strength of their tie to one another. The impact of this
principle on diffusion of influence and information, mobility oppor-
tunity, and community organization is explored. Stress is laid on the
cohesive power of weak ties. Most network models deal, implicitly,
with strong ties, thus confining their applicability to small, well-
defined groups. Emphasis on weak ties lends itself to discussion of
relations between groups and to analysis of segments of social struc-
ture not easily defined in terms of primary groups.

A fundamental weakness of current sociological theory is that it does not
relate micro-level interactions to macro-level patterns in any convincing
way. Large-scale statistical, as well as qualitative, studies offer a good