Generalized blockmodeling of binary networks

Imagine you have a bunch of different groups of toys, like cars, dolls, and blocks. You also have a bunch of friends, and each friend likes to play with certain types of toys. Some only like cars, others only like dolls, and some like a mix of all three.

In a way, this is like a binary network - each toy is either present or not present, and each friend either likes it or doesn't. Blockmodeling means looking at the groups of toys and the groups of friends and figuring out if there are any patterns or similarities.

Generalized blockmodeling means we're not just looking at one type of toy or friend - we're looking at all of them together. We might notice that there are certain groups of friends who like to play with similar kinds of toys, or that there are certain types of toys that are popular with everyone.

This can help us understand how different parts of the network are connected, and what kinds of relationships or preferences exist within it. By breaking down the network into smaller groups or categories, we can start to see the bigger picture and make sense of the patterns and connections that exist within it.