Women's connectivity in extreme networks

Pedro Manrique; Zhenfeng Cao; Andrew Gabriel; John Horgan; Paul Gill; Hong Qi; Elvira M Restrepo; Daniela Johnson; Stefan Wuchty; Chaoming Song; Neil Johnson

doi:10.1126/sciadv.1501742

Women's connectivity in extreme networks

Sci Adv. 2016 Jun 10;2(6):e1501742. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.1501742. eCollection 2016 Jun.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physics, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33124, USA.
² Department of Computer Science, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33124, USA.
³ Global Studies Institute and Department of Psychology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA.
⁴ Department of Security and Crime Science, University College London, London WC1H 9EZ, UK.
⁵ Department of Geography and Global Studies, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33126, USA.
⁶ Department of Government, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
⁷ Department of Computer Science, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33124, USA.; Center for Computational Science, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33124, USA.

Abstract

A popular stereotype is that women will play more minor roles than men as environments become more dangerous and aggressive. Our analysis of new longitudinal data sets from offline and online operational networks [for example, ISIS (Islamic State)] shows that although men dominate numerically, women emerge with superior network connectivity that can benefit the underlying system's robustness and survival. Our observations suggest new female-centric approaches that could be used to affect such networks. They also raise questions about how individual contributions in high-pressure systems are evaluated.

Keywords: ISIS; PIRA; centrality; women.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Female
Humans
Male
Religion
Sex Factors
Social Behavior
Social Media*
Social Networking*
Social Support*
Women*