Joint Latent Space Model for Social Networks with Multivariate Attributes

Abstract: In many application problems in social, behavioral, and economic sciences, researchers often have data on a social network among a group of individuals along with high dimensional multivariate measurements for each individual. To analyze such networked data structures, we propose a joint Attribute and Person Latent Space Model (APLSM) that summarizes information from the social network and the multiple attribute measurements in a person-attribute joint latent space. We develop a Variational Bayesian Expectation-Maximization estimation algorithm to estimate the posterior distribution of the attribute and person locations in the joint latent space. This methodology allows for effective integration, informative visualization, and prediction of social networks and high dimensional attribute measurements. Using APLSM, we explore the inner workings of the French financial elites based on their social networks and their career, political views, and social status. We observe a division in the social circles of the French elites in accordance with the differences in their individual characteristics.