A sociogram is a visual tool used to show the relationships between people in a group. It maps out who interacts with whom, who prefers to work or spend time together, and how individuals connect—or don’t connect—with others in a social setting.
Think of it as a social map. Each person in the group is represented as a shape (like a circle), and lines or arrows are drawn between them to show their connections. For example, if one student in a classroom says they like working with another student, an arrow is drawn from the first to the second. If both choose each other, the arrow is two-way. If someone isn’t chosen by anyone, they might not have any arrows at all—and that can be just as important to notice.
Where sociograms come from
The idea of sociograms was developed by Jacob L. Moreno, a psychiatrist and social scientist, in the 1930s. He used sociograms to study and improve group relationships, especially in schools and institutions. He believed that by making social connections visible, people could better understand group behavior and create healthier social environments.
Key Components of a Sociogram
A sociogram uses simple visuals to represent the complex relationships within a group. Each part of the diagram plays a role in telling the story of how people connect, who feels included, and where there may be social gaps or strong bonds.
1. Nodes (people in the group)
Each person in the group is shown as a node, usually drawn as a circle or shape and labeled with a name or identifier. These are the individuals you’re mapping—students, team members, or participants in any group.
2. Lines or arrows (connections between people)
Connections are drawn as lines or arrows between nodes. These represent relationships, choices, or preferences.
A one-way arrow (→) shows a one-sided choice—Person A chooses Person B, but B doesn’t choose A.
A two-way arrow (↔) shows a mutual connection—both choose each other.
Some sociograms use different line styles or thicknesses to show how strong or weak a relationship is.
3. Isolates
An isolate is someone who has no connections on the sociogram—they didn’t choose anyone, and no one chose them.
4. Cliques or subgroups
These are small groups where people mostly choose each other and rarely connect with those outside their circle.
5. Central and peripheral figures
- Central figures receive many connections. They’re often seen as leaders, influencers, or well-liked members.
- Peripheral figures are on the edges with few or no connections. They may be shy, new, or less engaged socially.
6. Direction and strength of relationships
- Direction shows who is choosing whom.
- Strength can be shown through line thickness, color, or style to reflect how strong the relationship is.
7. Guiding questions used to gather data
The sociogram is based on answers to targeted questions, such as:
- “Who do you enjoy working with?”
- “Who would you go to for help?”
- “Who do you feel closest to?”
How to Create a Sociogram
A sociogram helps you make the invisible social connections in a group visible. It takes some careful planning and thought, but the process is straightforward once you know the steps. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1. Define the purpose
Start by being clear on what you’re trying to understand. Do you want to learn about friendships, working relationships, trust, or influence within the group? Your goal will shape everything that follows—from the questions you ask to how you interpret the results.
Step 2. Choose and prepare your group
Decide who will be included in the sociogram. This could be a classroom, a sports team, a group of coworkers, or any small-to-medium-sized group. Let participants know what you’re doing and why. Create a safe and respectful atmosphere so people feel comfortable sharing honest responses.
Step 3. Ask the right questions
Use clear, simple questions that focus on the type of relationship you want to explore. Examples include:
- “Who are your closest friends in this group?”
- “Who would you most like to work with on a project?”
- “Who do you feel comfortable going to for help?”
You can allow each person to name one, two, or even three others, depending on how detailed you want the sociogram to be.
Step 4. Collect responses
Have each person respond privately so they don’t feel pressured by others around them. You can do this with paper forms, anonymous digital surveys, or one-on-one conversations. Make sure the method you choose matches the age and comfort level of the group.
Step 5. Organize the information
Once you have the answers, list who each person selected. Pay attention to who chose whom, and whether any of the choices were mutual. Also make note of any individuals who weren’t mentioned at all or didn’t choose anyone themselves.
Step 6. Draw the sociogram
Begin by drawing a shape for each person—usually a circle—and label it with their name or initials. Then:
- Draw arrows from one person to another based on who they selected.
- Use double arrows (↔) to show mutual choices.
- If you’re tracking strength of relationship, use thicker lines for stronger connections and thinner or dashed lines for weaker ones.
Place more connected individuals toward the center and those with fewer connections toward the outer edges to help highlight the group’s social structure. You can do this digitally using a sociogram maker like Creately.
Step 7. Analyze the sociogram
Once the diagram is complete, look closely at what it reveals. Are there individuals with many connections? Small groups or cliques? People who are isolated? Also look for people who serve as connectors between different groups—these individuals often play important bridging roles.
Step 8. Use your findings to take action
Use what you’ve learned to make positive changes in the group. You might:
- Encourage connections between isolated members and others.
- Mix up teams or seating arrangements to promote inclusion.
- Support balanced collaboration by spreading influence more evenly across the group.
How to Read a Sociogram
Reading a sociogram is all about spotting patterns in the lines and circles (or shapes) that represent relationships within a group. At first glance, it might just look like a bunch of names and arrows—but it tells a deeper story about how people connect.
Here’s how to make sense of it:
1. Look at the shapes (or nodes)
Each shape represents a person. In some sociograms, these are called nodes. The person being focused on—called the ego in egocentric sociograms—is usually in the center or shown as a star or larger symbol.
2. Follow the arrows or lines (edges)
Lines or arrows show relationships or choices between people.
A one-way arrow means one person chose another (for example, “I like working with Sam”), but the feeling wasn’t returned.
A two-way arrow means the relationship is mutual—they chose each other.
A dashed line might represent a weaker or indirect connection, depending on how the sociogram is designed.
3. Notice who is at the center—and who is on the outside
People in the middle often have more connections, which may show they’re more influential, popular, or central to the group. People on the outer edges may be more isolated or have fewer social ties.
4. Look for clusters or cliques
You might see small groups forming in the diagram—these are people who mostly connect with each other. This can show natural friendships or group divisions.
5. Check the direction of connections
It’s important to see who is giving attention and who is receiving it. Someone might be chosen by many but not choose others back—and that could say something about their role in the group.
6. Don’t forget context
While sociograms are helpful, they don’t explain everything. It’s important to know why someone is connected (or not connected) to others. Cultural factors, confidence, personality, and other dynamics all play a role.
Sociogram Examples
To help you see sociograms in action, here are a few examples that show how group relationships can be mapped visually. These diagrams make it easier to spot patterns like friendships, isolation, and influence.
Sociogram Template
Sociogram
Sociogram Example
Sociogram - Interpersonal Relationships
Types of Sociogram
Sociograms come in two main types: egocentric and network. Each one helps you understand relationships from a different point of view. Whether you’re focusing on one individual or looking at a whole group, these types help you visually map out social dynamics clearly and insightfully.
1. Egocentric sociogram
An egocentric sociogram focuses on one individual—called the ego—and maps out all the people they are directly connected to.
The ego (the main person being studied) is placed at the center of the diagram, often marked with a star shape.
Other individuals connected to the ego are shown around them.
Lines (or edges) represent relationships between the ego and others, such as friendship, communication, or support.
This type does not show how those surrounding individuals connect to each other—just how they connect to the ego.
When it’s used
Egocentric sociograms are great when you want to understand an individual’s social world. For example, you might use it to:
- Explore a student’s close relationships
- Understand who a new employee turns to for help
- Identify the personal support network of someone in need
What it reveals:
- Who is part of someone’s immediate circle
- How strong or weak those connections are
- Whether they are socially isolated or well-connected
2. Network sociogram
A network sociogram looks at the entire group and shows how everyone is connected to everyone else—not just to one person.
- Each person or case is shown as a node (a circle or dot).
- Lines (called rims in some contexts) show relationships between them.
- Some people may be part of close-knit groups (cliques), while others may be more isolated.
- It gives a full view of how relationships form across the whole community.
When it’s used:
Network sociograms are useful when you want to:
- Study the overall structure of a class, team, or organization
- Find leaders, influencers, or isolated members
- Understand how ideas or behaviors flow through a group
What it reveals:
- Who is central or on the edges of the group
- Subgroups or cliques within the network
- Individuals who connect different parts of the group (bridges)
Sociogram Advantages and Disadvantages
Sociograms can be powerful tools for understanding how people interact in a group. But like any tool, they come with both strengths and limitations.
Advantages of sociograms
1. Make invisible relationships visible
Sociograms turn complex group dynamics into a clear visual. You can instantly see patterns of friendship, trust, exclusion, or influence that might otherwise go unnoticed.
2. Support better group decisions
Teachers, managers, and counselors can use sociograms to create balanced teams, improve inclusion, or support individuals who may feel left out.
3. Reveal social roles and structures
You can easily identify leaders, connectors, isolated individuals, and cliques within a group.
4. Promote self-awareness and empathy
When shared thoughtfully, sociograms can help people understand their own place in a group and become more aware of others' experiences.
5. Help track change over time
Sociograms can be updated regularly to show how relationships evolve, especially in response to group interventions or changes.
Disadvantages of sociograms
1. Risk of misinterpretation
If not used carefully, people might jump to conclusions or read too much into the diagram—especially without context.
2. Privacy concerns
Sociograms rely on people sharing honest responses about others. If not handled confidentially, they can cause discomfort or harm relationships.
3. Can oversimplify relationships
Real human relationships are complex. A sociogram shows who is connected to whom, but not always why or how those connections work.
4. Limited use in large or fluid groups
Sociograms work best in small to medium-sized groups. In large or constantly changing groups, it can become too messy or hard to manage.
5. Needs thoughtful questions and analysis
The quality of the sociogram depends on asking the right questions and interpreting the data carefully. Poorly designed surveys can lead to misleading results.
When to Use a Sociogram
Sociograms are most useful when you want to understand the social dynamics within a group—who connects with whom, who feels left out, who holds influence, and how relationships shape group behavior. Here are some situations where a sociogram can really make a difference:
1. In classrooms
Teachers use sociograms to understand friendship patterns, group dynamics, or social exclusion among students. It helps them form balanced groups, support students who feel isolated, and encourage positive peer relationships.
2. In team settings or workplaces
Sociograms can reveal communication gaps, informal leadership, or collaboration strengths within a team. This helps managers build more effective teams and improve group performance.
3. In counseling or social work
Sociograms help professionals understand a person’s support network or social isolation. They can show who someone feels connected to and who they trust.
4. To solve conflicts or bullying
In schools or group environments, sociograms can highlight power imbalances, exclusion, or tension. This can help adults address bullying or social issues with more context and understanding.
5. To track changes over time
By creating sociograms at different points in time, you can see how relationships grow, fade, or shift. This is helpful for monitoring group progress or the effects of interventions.
6. For research and data analysis
Researchers use sociograms in studies about group behavior, social influence, leadership, and communication. They’re part of a broader field called social network analysis.
Conclusion: Understanding the Sociogram
Sociograms give us a clearer picture of how people connect, interact, and relate to one another. They make invisible relationships visible—whether it’s a student who’s often left out, a team member who quietly leads, or a group that naturally forms around shared trust.
By using sociograms thoughtfully, you can make smarter decisions, support the people who need it most, and create more balanced, inclusive spaces where everyone feels seen and valued. Whether you’re mapping friendships, work dynamics, or support systems, sociograms are a simple but powerful way to understand the heart of any group—its people.
References
Drahota, A. and Dewey, A. (2008). The Sociogram. Nursing Research, 57(4), pp.293–297. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/01.nnr.0000313489.49165.97.
Royse, L., Nolan, N. and Hoffman, K. (2020). Using a sociogram to characterize communication during an interprofessional team huddle. Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, Volume 13, pp.1583–1593. doi:https://doi.org/10.2147/jmdh.s273746.
Whitehead, H. and Dufault, S. (1999). Techniques for Analyzing Vertebrate Social Structure Using Identified Individuals: Review and Recommendations. Advances in the Study of Behavior, pp.33–74. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/s0065-3454(08)60215-6.
Questions depend on what kind of relationships you want to map. For example: Some common mistakes include:FAQs About Sociogram
How many people can be in a sociogram?
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