A method is provided in one example and includes receiving data propagating in a network environment, and identifying selected words within the data based on a whitelist. The whitelist includes a plurality of designated words to be tagged. The method further includes assigning a weight to the selected words based on at least one characteristic associated with the data, and associating the selected words to an individual. A resultant composite is generated for the selected words that are tagged. In more specific embodiments, the resultant composite is partitioned amongst a plurality of individuals associated with the data propagating in the network environment. A social graph can be generated that identifies a relationship between a selected individual and the plurality of individuals based on a plurality of words exchanged between the selected individual and the plurality of individuals.