Triadic closures help the brain remember complex social networks
http://www.livescience.com/28095-brain-relationship-memory-shortcuts.html
How does our brain remember the complex network of family, friends, acquaintances and enemies? It turns out that our brain simplifies social networks into a simpler network of rules based on who knows who. We are more likely to remember who someone is and how they relate to us if they form a triadic closure with two other people. In the study, volunteers were given social networks to remember. One group was given a network defined by relationship labels like “friend” or “brother” without any triadic closures. The other group had to remember a network characterized by triadic closures and relationship labels. Participants averaged “about 73 percent correct” when they were given networks with triadic closures, while participants without triadic closures to remember averaged less.
This relates to our discussions on triadic closures because triadic closure is a rule that simplifies reality. It may not always be true but it can help us process networks and understand the relationships between nodes and groups. Based on the study, rules are shortcuts the brain uses to memorize networks. Triadic closures are easier to remember then arbitrary relationships that have no relation to one another. They provide an additional clue in remembering connections. The article closes by speculating that not being able to understand these rules may lead to “social difficulty”. Not understanding the concept of triadic closure may lead to difficulty in understanding relationships within a social network.