Social balance theory

Social balance theory examines how relationships among people tend to stabilize over time based on the consistency of their attitudes and connections. It suggests that individuals prefer harmonious relationships, so they seek to reduce tension by aligning their opinions or friendships. For example, if two friends dislike each other, a mutual friend might also develop negative feelings toward one of them to maintain harmony. The theory predicts that social groups evolve toward balanced configurations where relationships are consistent, promoting stability and reducing conflict within networks.