Nicola Allen P1126063X Networked Media: Theory & Practice

Social Capital
Analyzing social networks and online communications can be difficult. The reading this week looks at the idea of social capital, which can be useful for analyzing social relations and understanding how they work, both on- and offline. The concept of social capital offers researchers the missing link to explaining how people can overcome collective action problems. When individuals engage one another, whether in informal social gatherings or in formal organizations, such as religious groups and civic associations, residuals emerge from the dynamics of the interactions that can be used to facilitate future social exchanges (i.e., virtuous social capital cycle). These residuals, jointly known as social capital, frequently take the form of conventions of reciprocity, enforceable norms, information networks, and interpersonal trust (Coleman, 1988). By drawing on these residuals, individuals and, by extension, communities can achieve ends that would otherwise be unfeasible relying on physical, financial, and human capital alone. (Best & Krueger, 2006) Readings An Invitation to Reflexive Sociology Ellison, N. B., Steinfield, C., & Lampe, C. (2007) The benefits of Facebook "friends:" Social capital and college students' use of online social network sites, Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 12(4), article 1. http://jcmc.indiana.edu/vol12/issue4/ellison.html Further Reading Facebook & Social Capital http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFTL8PBomUE 'Lewis, J. & West, A. (2009) Friending': London-based undergraduates' experience of Facebook, New Media & Society, Vol. 11, No. 7, 1209-1229 Best, S.J. & Krueger, B. S., (2006) Ties Online Interactions and Social Capital: Distinguishing Between New and Existing, Social Science Computer Review, 24; 395 [WWW] Available from: http://ssc.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/24/4/395

Workshop Questions

Nicola Allen P1126063X Networked Media: Theory & Practice 1. Using examples of your own explain: a. What is social capital?

The resources accumulated through the relationships among people (Coleman, 1988) The sum of resources, actual or virtual, that accrues to an individual or group by virtue of possessing a durable network of more or less institutionalized relationships of mutual acquaintance and recognition (Bourdieu and Wacquant, 1992). For example social capital can be physical things such as getting a new TV from a friend when yours dies or can be virtual; or for emotional support (such as in person or online). b. What are the differences between weak and strong ties and bridging and bonding social capital?

BRIDGING CAPITAL (Putnam, 2000) weak ties, loose connections between individuals who provide useful information or perspectives i.e. forums, acquaintances, message boards, comments etc. BONDING CAPITAL tightly knit, emotionally close relationships i.e. family, friends.

2. Give examples of how the Internet might strengthen or weaken social capital? STRENGTHS

Self-esteem boost

WEAKNESSES

Negative social capital - i.e. cyber bullying Checking in - encourages theft Mock responses from things posted online

3. Do you think social capital is a useful way to analyze what is happening

Nicola Allen P1126063X Networked Media: Theory & Practice on social networks such as Facebook? Does it describe your own experience of these networks or can you give examples that it doesnt capture? Yes as it is where one member gives information to another. I often get new information from sites such as Twitter and Tumblr where fan communities for different bands are in large numbers. Often a new video or news are posted there when released, so I can access it almost immediately and also have a discussion with other fans about the update. Obviously this is an example of bridging capital, as I have no emotional connections to these users. On the other hand, Facebook enables me to fulfil bonding capital, receiving news as it happens from family and close friends. This information is different to that I get on Tumblr/Twitter, but it is still social capital.