The Diffusion of Academic Achievements: Social Selection and Influence in Student Networks

Sofia Dokuka (), Diliara Valeeva and Maria Yudkevich
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Sofia Dokuka: National Research University Higher School of Economics

HSE Working papers from National Research University Higher School of Economics

Abstract: Peer group effects show the influence of student social environments on their individual achievements. Traditionally, a social environment is considered by researchers of peer effects as exogenously given. However, significant peers that affect performance are often those that are deliberately chosen. Students might choose their friends among peers with similar academic achievements. A dynamic analysis of student social networks and academic achievements is needed to disentangle social selection and social influence processes in network formation. Using data about the friendship and advice networks of first year undergraduate students, we show that friends tend to assimilate each others’ achievements and choose advisers with similar grades. We explain these results by social segregation based on student performance. The article contributes to the dynamic analysis of student social networks and the understanding of the nature of peer group effects in education

Keywords: social networks; academic achievements; peer group effects; higher education (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D85 I21 I23 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 25 pages
Date: 2015
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cdm, nep-edu, nep-net, nep-soc and nep-ure
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

Published in WP BRP Series: Sociology / SOC, September 2015, pages 1-25

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