Abstract:

    We generate a number of hypotheses about face-to-face groups using the energy distribution principle: the frequency of an
event is inversely related to the amount of energy expended in that event. The principle predicts that (1) the size of groups will
be inversely related to the frequency of their occurrence; (2) at any group size, the composition of social positions will be less
heterogeneous than chance; and, (3) as group size increases, observed compositional homogeneity will decline at a slower
rate than chance. We test these hypotheses using data on more than 100,000 naturally occurring, public, face-to-face groups
gathered in sampling sweeps through two communities over a three-year period. The data support the hypotheses and yield
interesting differences in the strength of sex and race heterogeneity. We discuss the findings as they relate to the general
energy distribution principle and to other sociological perspectives.