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Network Structure and Value Shifts in China: explaining preferences in rural and urban conflict resolution

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Vortragende: Christine Avenarius (Department of Anthropology, East Carolina University and Institut für Ethnologie, Universität Hamburg)

This research combines the tools of social network analysis with the study of human cognition to understand the interrelation between cultural models that influence social network structures and network positions that impact the development of attitudes and perceptions. Interviews with 157 rural and 144 urban Chinese residents of Hebei Province collected information about personal social network structures by using both a name generator and a position generator approach. Informants were also asked about their current definition of morality and their attitudes towards the rule of law in China, including agreements and disagreements with exemplary outcomes of different conflict resolution strategies, i.e. going to court or using mediation. Analysis revealed that China's rural and urban residents don't adhere to the same cultural consensus model. Differences can be explained in reference to compositions of personal networks and individual definitions of moral behavior. Perceptions about the role of relationships in the process of conflict resolution are a function of access to social and cultural capital provided by specific network members.

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