“An enemy of an enemy is a friend.” We all must have heard this aphorism of Acharya Chanakya which is a famous saying. Many people call it social balance theory. It talks about a fundamental aspect of how we humans navigate our social world. Of course, sometimes it’s messy, but now we know for sure. A new study suggests that there is a physical logic behind this social principle and our other social interactions.
What is social equilibrium theory?
In the 1940s, a psychologist named Fritz Heider proposed social equilibrium theory. This theory explains that we have a deep preference for stability and predictability in our relationships. We feel most comfortable in “balanced” social situations where the emotions between people are matched.
This could mean that everyone really likes each other. And if someone dislikes someone, there is a clear understanding of those negative relationships. When this balance is disrupted, such as when close friends have a falling out or you find yourself disliking someone your friend admires, it can lead to feelings of unease and social tension.
It has been said in the study that the basis of social relations is governed by the principle of balance. (Symbolic photo: Canva)
When this balance is disrupted, such as when close friends have a falling out or you find yourself disliking someone your friend admires, it can lead to feelings of unease and social tension.
challenge to prove the theory
Social scientists have spent years attempting to validate Heider’s social equilibrium theory. This effort has proven challenging for many reasons. First, social networks themselves are inherently complex. Individual personalities play an important role in how relationships form and develop.
Secondly, social circles are not omnipresent. People often have limited connections within broader networks, which means they may not be aware of all the relationships between people they know. Early attempts to create social balance often treated relationships as overly simplistic. These models often randomly assign positive or negative values to connections.
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FIRST PUBLISHED: May 5, 2024, 11:45 IST
