Assortatiivisuus

Assortatiivisuus refers to a property of complex networks where nodes with similar characteristics tend to connect to each other. This is in contrast to disassortative networks, where nodes with high degrees tend to connect to nodes with low degrees. The concept is particularly relevant in the study of social networks, biological networks, and technological networks. In social networks, for instance, assortative mixing might describe how people tend to associate with others of similar age, socioeconomic status, or interests. In biological networks, it could relate to how proteins with similar functions interact.

The assortativity coefficient is a quantitative measure used to describe the degree of assortative mixing in a network. It ranges from -1 to 1. A value close to 1 indicates strong assortativity, meaning nodes with similar properties are highly likely to connect. A value close to -1 suggests strong disassortativity, where dissimilar nodes preferentially connect. A value around 0 implies no significant correlation between the properties of connected nodes. Understanding assortativity is crucial for analyzing network structure, predicting network evolution, and designing interventions within these systems. It can impact properties like network resilience, information diffusion, and community formation.