Connection Research
Overview
Perceived network connection can be conceptually defined as an individual’s assumptions and comprehensions about their cognitive, emotional, and communicative attachment to a bounded collective to which they belong.
PNC is an individual-level attitudinal variable and is theorized to be a higher-order factor, which consists of three lower-order factors (perceived utility, affective evaluation, and perceived communication connectedness – see Figure 1). PNC is theorized to have three distinct uses. First, PNC can be used to compare different networks. For example, by looking at the average PNC across workgroups conclusions about productivity in those workgroups might be derived. Second, PNC can be used to understand individual’s involvement in groups or what people put into groups. By understanding an individual’s PNC predictions about their involvement in that network may be hypothesized. Lastly, PNC can be used to understand the effects of networks on the individual or what they take away from the network. For example, by understanding an individual’s PNC predictions might be made about how likely the individual is to pick up the norms of the group
Perceived Utility - The conceptual definition of perceived utility is an individual’s perceptions about the cost and benefits of a given network. Indicators of perceived utility are the individual’s perceptions about the benefits and costs of being involved in the group being studied.
Affective Evaluation - Affective evaluation is conceptually defined as the individual’s positive or negative emotional evaluation of the specific network being examined. Indicators for this concept are the level of agreement with a number of discreet emotions (e.g., hope, relief, etc.).
Communication Connectedness – Communication connectedness can be conceptually defined as an individual’s perceived ability to send and receive communication within the network. The indicators of communication connectedness are questions geared at the individual’s perceptions about their ability to send and receive communication within the group.
The Measurement of PNC
All questions are asked on a 7-point Likert scale, from “Strongly Disagree” to “Strongly Agree”
| Perceived Utility |
| Instructions: Group membership can provide benefits, such as social or financial gains, and costs, such as wasting time or energy. Keeping in mind the group you mentioned earlier, what are the benefits and costs associated with membership to the group? |
| This group allows me to accomplish a lot |
| I gain a lot from being involved with this group |
| I gain a lot from the communication I have with this group |
| Affective Evaluation |
| Instructions: Thinking about the same group, we want to ask about your personal emotional reactions to that group. |
| When I think about this group I feel happy |
| When I think about this group I feel compassion |
| When I think about this group I feel relief |
| Communication Connectedness |
| Instructions: Thinking about the same group, we would like to understand your perceptions concerning the ease with which you feel you are able to communicate with the group. |
| I find it hard to communicate with this group |
| People in this group have a hard time contacting me |
| Communication within this group is easy |
Reliability and Validity
Across three studies, the PNC measure the has been found to be a reliable and valid measure of individual-level attachment to voluntary groups. The studies consisted of three student samples, one of which was used to demonstrate test-retest validity. The last sample was a random sample of registered voters in a midwestern state. In all four samples, the proposed higher-order factor model with three lower-order factors (i.e., perceived utility, affective evaluation, and communication connectedness) fit the data. PNC was found to be the largest single predictor of future commitment to the group, even when examined in models with previous involvement in the group, length of membership, collective identity, and feelings of similarity. As predicted PNC was found to positively correlate with collectivist outlook, collective identity, group interest, group knowledge, and feelings of similarity to the group, while no significant correlation was found between PNC and need for cognition or sensation seeking.
Fit statistics for proposed model in three studies
1A – X2 (df = 24) = 69.6; CFI = 0.97; RMSEA = 0.08 (90% C. I., 0.06 to 0.10); SRMR = 0.05;
1B – X2 (df = 24) = 41.0; CFI = 0.96; RMSEA = 0.09 (90% C. I., 0.04 to 0.14); SRMR = 0.06;
2 – X2 (df = 24) = 59.5; CFI = 0.97; RMSEA = 0.09 (90% C. I., 0.06 to 0.12); SRMR = 0.05;
3 – X2 (df = 24) = 37.9; CFI = 0.96; RMSEA = 0.06 (90% C. I., 0.02 to 0.10); SRMR = 0.05;
Please feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions about the measure.
Presentations
Second-year Ph.D. talk given at The School of Communication colloquium series at The Ohio State University (May 15, 2009). Full Presentation
Presentation for the Communication, Opinion, and Political Studies Group at The Ohio State University (February 6, 2009). Full Presentation