Network analysis and lay interpretation: Some issues of consensus and representation

Two studies examined the use of network analysis to reveal lay interpretations of loneliness. The first study demonstrated that there were no important differences between results from a Likert-scale and binary-choice method, by using an index of disagreement to compare networks. The study also used inductive eliminative analysis to produce a network of the causes of loneliness that a majority of participants endorsed. The results suggest that a lay interpretation of loneliness places great emphasis on psychological states. In a second study, participants were asked to rank the identified causes of loneliness. In this study causes of loneliness identified as being psychological states received the highest ranking. The results are compared and contrasted with those from an earlier study on lay perception of loneliness by Lunt (1991). In particular it is suggested that the form of analysis used in that study may have resulted in an overly complex view of the lay interpretation of loneliness.