An Introduction to Social

Capital

The Center for Social Capital

www.centerforsocialcapital.org

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Intro to Social

Robert Putnam defines Social

Capital

Capital as the social networks

and the norms of
trustworthiness and reciprocity
that arise from them.

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Intro to Social

Social Capital Focuses on:

Capital

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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Intro to Social
Capital

Social Networks Matter:

Thick Trust: where trust extends only to
known friends & associates
Thin Trust: where trust extends to
include total strangers

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

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Intro to Social

Trust Growing Elements:

Capital

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

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)

Sander & Lowney; Griffin-Hammis Associates

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

across differences including Race,

Gender, Disability, Class, Religion
Bonding: Links people together like
themselves (special interest groups,
neighborhood associations, hobby
clubs)

Sander & Lowney; Griffin-Hammis Associates

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Intro to Social
Intensity of Social Capital:
Strong: Someone with whom you might
Capital

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

Sander & Lowney; Griffin-Hammis Associates

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Intro to Social
Bridging
& Public &
Bonding Private
Capital

Regard

Strong &
Weak Ties
Formal &
Informal

Thick &
Thin Trust

Sander & Lowney; Griffin-Hammis Associates

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Intro to Social
Intensity of Social Capital:
Stronger ties are useful for creating
Capital

social support and sustained efforts;

Weaker ties are more useful for
networking and job searches

Wuthnow, 1998; Sander & Lowney; Griffin-

Hammis Associates
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Intro to Social
Goal of Social Capital:
Raising Social Capital to improve ones
Capital

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)

Sander & Lowney; Griffin-Hammis Associates

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Intro to Social
Getting Others Interested & Involved :
Appeal to peoples motivations (shared
Capital

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

Griffin-Hammis Associates; McKnight

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Intro to Social
Getting Others Interested & Involved :
Very Small Group or One-to-One Start-up
Capital

conversations and recruitment

Set a clear outcome
Satisfy peoples motivators

Griffin-Hammis Associates; McKnight

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Intro to Social
Disability Issues:
Employment
Capital

Health Improvement
Home Ownership
Isolation
Asset Accumulation
Transportation.

Griffin-Hammis Associates; McKnight

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Intro to Social
Systemic & Organizational Issues:
Changing
Capital

Outdated policy and practice

Turnover
Funding
Disconnected Personnel.

Griffin-Hammis Associates; McKnight

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Intro to Social
Project Ideas:
Establish a Microloan Fund
Capital

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.

Griffin-Hammis Associates; McKnight

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