An Introduction to Social Capital

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The Center for Social Capital

www.centerforsocialcapital.org

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• Robert Putnam defines Social Capital as “the social networks and 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

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

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Social Networks Matter:• Thick Trust: where trust extends only to

known friends & associates• Thin Trust: where trust extends to

include total strangers

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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

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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 First; Kiwanis)• Private Regard: we are tied to informal

groups (Church; Softball team; Neighborhood Watch)

• Formal vs. Informal (Bylaws & Committees vs. Social/Interest/Hobby relationships)

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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: Links people together like themselves (special interest groups, neighborhood associations, hobby clubs…)

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Sander & Lowney; Griffin-Hammis Associates

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Intensity of Social Capital:• Strong: Someone with whom you might

share intimate or serious 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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Sander & Lowney; Griffin-Hammis Associates

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Sander & Lowney; Griffin-Hammis Associates

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 for networking and job searches

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Wuthnow, 1998; Sander & Lowney; Griffin-Hammis Associates

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Goal of Social Capital:• Raising Social Capital to improve one’s

standing in a community (e.g. using bridging capital to increase awareness of disability access issues in a community)

• Targeted at Specific Problem-Solving (e.g. using bonding capital to connect a job seeker with someone with similar career goals)

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Sander & Lowney; Griffin-Hammis Associates

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Getting Others Interested & Involved :• Appeal to people’s motivations (shared personal

& professional interests and self-interest, hobbies, affiliation needs)

• Avoid yet another meeting or committee approach• Appeal to their civic pride• Make the task appear reasonable

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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 people’s motivators

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Griffin-Hammis Associates; McKnight

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Disability Issues:• Employment• Health Improvement• Home Ownership• Isolation• Asset Accumulation• Transportation….

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Griffin-Hammis Associates; McKnight

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Systemic & Organizational Issues:• Changing• Outdated policy and practice• Turnover• Funding• Disconnected Personnel….

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Griffin-Hammis Associates; McKnight

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Project Ideas:• Establish a Microloan Fund• Establish Car Pools• Peer-Mentored After School & Summer Jobs/Businesses• Address Stereotyping by local media• Address local restaurant Barriers• Connect People to Specific Social Activities as

Individuals….

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Griffin-Hammis Associates; McKnight