This concept seemed a bit complicated from my sociology classes but you have brilliantly and eloquently explained it. Thanks a lot for this. I particularly love the practical applications you outline.
I used my social capital to help me get my new job! I reached out to a family friend and talked to her about her company for a school project and she let me know about an open position in marketing (something I was very interested in!). I also used my social capital and worked with my professor at the time for interview training and assistance throughout the whole hiring process. I’ve learned to maximize my social capital by keeping in touch with a lot of people that would normally fall off. It’s a lot of work, but it really is all about “who you know”!
Hi, Emma. So glad to hear from you. Your example is an excellent example of how this works in everyday life. You're off and running now! Thanks for providing some specifics. I wish I had your example handy when I was recording the video. :-)
Thank you, I need this. This will be the theory I use for my thesis. I use it to apply for sustainability in community development. How common values, norms, and goals strengthen the bond and most of all their trust towards each other so that they can work together independently without any stakeholder beside themselves to continue on the projects.
I have to do a presentation on this topic for a health class and l couldn't understand what the book was saying. So thank you SO much for this! Now l understand what SCT is. Didn't know it would be so simple yet important!
This is one of my favorite topic. I work with people in recovery. Those that do best, have social capital. Many people in recovery have major anxiety disorders. They don't want to hang out with other people. Recovery is harder when all your friends use, are dead, or are in jail. Regaining social capital for this population is especially hard. I teach the importance of this and look forward to sharing your video with some of my patients who struggle with this. Comments?
Hi Judi, I am thinking about doing a psychological thesis on benefits of Social Capital in Mental Health Recovery and I'd be interested to hear more of your experience how Social Capital led to an increase in recovery status where you are!
I work in development sector. There are three hats my role expects me to wear - manager, coach and connector. Connector hat basically focuses on making my people feel connected with the movement and people active within the movement. The video has given me a new approach towards designing my coaching conversations and sessions. I am sure my connecter hat is going to look more beautiful now. 😊😊😊
It's not a theory if it's true! Excellent topic! Something so basic should be common knowledge, yet it's not. Perhaps the "exclusivity" principal has something to do with it? Such as, Black owned businesses of the 1930's--, and various mutual aid groups and banks... Perhaps were considered a threat to bigger buisnesss? Anyway. This is valuable information and people need to learn it. Again.
When I first seen the SCT video I had to watch it again, then again, and then again because I didn't quite get it. There is an upside and downside to SCT, and I believe I seen a comment in the comments section, but using the concept "for good or evil" all depends on the everyone's (you, me, him, her, whoever) intention. Since it is impossible to measure and prove intention then it is hard to tell if anyone is sincere, really out to help or hinder, and/or giving the helped the run around. It's not WHAT you know but WHO you know. Relying on someone else to do anyone else's bidding for them maybe a point in their life where they won't be able to stand up for their own self if the time comes down to it. There are more upsides to having relationships with people then there are downsides so many people with social anxiety disorder will have a tougher time getting use to the fact that human beings are social creatures and need other humans to function at our top capacities.
One thing that Putnam does not account for is the social connections that you have online which are very real. Online social connection is the only reason why my younger brother has good social skills and I do not.
hello sir. i'm from indonesia. thank in advance. if you see this comment, please reply🙏. i want to ask. the point of social capital theory from robert d putnam? and how capital theory of robert putnam can use to analysis "preventive and curative in sexual violences on women's empowerment and child protection agency.
Thanks, but to be honest, I still don't really understand what it actually is? Can you measure social capital? How can you telling you have this capital or not?
I don't think you can measure social capital directly unless you wanted to somehow count the number of ties in your relationship network. I supposed that's possible. The way I have typically seen it measured (though that's not quite the right word) is through outcomes like educational attainment, professional opportunities, etc. The overly simplified way to know if a person has social capital is they have connections/relationships with influential people with other resources (or access to resources) like economic capital, intellectual capital, or more social capital. I'm pretty sure that won't answer your question completely but I hope it helps somewhat.
Well, it's a bit like other types of capital (e.g., economic, intellectual, etc.). Like other resources, it all depends on how you use it. It could be used for good or for evil, I supposed. But, one advantage might be that anybody can increase social capital by building relationships.
One advantage of social capital, from a professional point of view, is the ability to have a greater range of opportunities when finding new work - if needed. For example, in my professional career I only formally had to apply for 2 of the 8 or so jobs I've had. The first two specifically were with no social connections of any kind. After the 2nd, each new position came about from connections with people. It does provide a bit of a "leg up" when moving around positions because part of the relationship is already there, and it's easier to start from. From a personal standpoint, like friends, it's the ability to get help when needed. For example, my neighbor needed help putting together a shelf that she couldn't get. So, I helped her put it together. Then, when I'm gone from home, I have someone who can watch over the house (security wise), help with the cats, or water my plants. From family, same deal as friends, just likely a bit more solid and likely to remain for longer. The disadvantages of these social connections/links has to do with the time it takes to both build, and maintain, those links. So, in essence, you have to curate your friends - a few close friends, a few more "normal friends", and so on. The idea being is the larger amount of help you may end up needing, the close to "close friends" they have to be. Also, this is a bit more calculating than "just enjoying someone's company". Can be seen as manipulative, but doesn't have to be as long as you're giving and not just taking.
It's a very idiotic and selfish concept... Another attempt of human beings to exploit others indirectly ... What is difference between short term gain and long term gain... If you are still looking for gains in relationship than you are just a business person... There is no love... I dun knw where all this going to end ... N what all we have got from all this accept depression and anxiety... And ofcourse making corporate houses more rich with every passing day
