This function defines and initializes the absdiffby ERGM term that allows for representing homophily with respect to a non-binary attribute (e.g., age) differentially by a binary attribute (e.g., sex).
InitErgmTerm.absdiffby(nw, arglist,...)
Arguments
nw: An object of class network.
arglist: A list of arguments as specified in the ergm.userterms
package framework.
...: Additional data passed into the function as specified in the ergm.userterms package framework.
Details
This ERGM user term was written to allow for age-based homophily in partnership formation that is asymmetric by sex. The absdiff component targets age-based homophily while the by component allows that to be structured by a binary attribute such as "male", in order to enforce an offset in the average difference. This allows, for example, a average age difference in partnerships, but with males (on average) older than females.