An Introduction to Social Capital

7/27/2019 An Introduction to Social Capital

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An Introduction to Social

Capital

The Center for Social Capital

www.centerforsocialcapi tal .org


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Robert Putnam defines SocialCapital as the social networksand the norms of

trustworthiness and reciprocity

that arise from them.


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Social Capital Focuses on:

Who knows Whom (Social Networks)

The Character of these Networks

The Strength of our Ties

Levels of Trust

Levels of Reciprocity

Knack, S. (2001); Sander & Lowney, (2006)


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Social Networks Matter:

Thick Trust: where trust extends only toknown fr iends & associates

Thin Trust: where trust extends to

include total strangers

Knack, S. (2001); Sander & Lowney, (2006)


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Trust Growing Elements:

Repeated exposure & shared spaces

Honesty in Communications

Follow-Through on Commitments

Consistency in Behavior

Knack, S. (2001); Sander & Lowney, (2006);

Griffin-Hammis Associates


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Types of Social Capital: Public-Regard: we are tied to formal

groups (City Council ; PTA; People

F irst; Kiwanis)

Private Regard: we are tied to informal

groups (Church; Softbal l team;

Neighborhood Watch)

Formal vs. I nformal (Bylaws &Committees vs. Social/I nterest/H obby

relationships)

Sander & Lowney; Griffin-Hammis Associates


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Types of Social Capital: Bridging: Social ties that attempt to cut

across differences including Race,

Gender, Disability, Class, Religion

Bonding: L inks people together l ike

themselves (special interest groups,

neighborhood associations, hobby

clubs)



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Intensity of Social Capital:

Strong: Someone with whom you might

share intimate or ser ious issues

Weak: More episodic and casual Example: You share stronger ties with

your doctor and weaker ties with

volunteers cooking at the pancake

breakfast



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Bridging

&

Bonding

Public &

Private

Regard

Formal &

Informal

Thick &

Thin Trust

Strong &

Weak Ties


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Intensity of Social Capital:

Stronger ties are useful for creating

social support and sustained efforts;

Weaker ties are more useful fornetworking and job searches

Wuthnow, 1998; Sander & Lowney; Griffin-

Hammis Associates


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Goal of Social Capital:

Raising Social Capital to improve onesstanding in a community (e.g. using

bridging capital to increase awareness ofdisabil i ty access issues in a community)

Targeted at Specif ic Problem-Solving

(e.g. using bonding capital to connect a

job seeker with someone wi th simi larcareer goals)



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Getting Others Interested & Involved :

Appeal to peoples motivations (sharedpersonal & professional interests and self -

interest, hobbies, aff i l iation needs) Avoid yet another meeting or commi ttee

approach

Appeal to their civic pr ide

Make the task appear reasonable

Griffin-Hammis Associates; McKnight


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Getting Others Interested & Involved :

Very Small Group or One-to-One Start-up

conversations and recruitment

Set a clear outcome Satisfy peoples motivators



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Disability Issues:

Employment

Health Improvement

Home Ownership Isolation

Asset Accumulation

Transportation.



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Systemic & Organizational Issues:

Changing

Outdated policy and practice

Turnover Funding

Disconnected Personnel.



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Project Ideas:

Establish a M icroloan Fund

Establish Car Pools

Peer-Mentored After School & SummerJobs/Businesses

Address Stereotyping by local media

Address local restaurant Barr iers

Connect People to Specif ic Social Activities

as Individuals.


Documents

An Introduction to Social Capital