Social Capital

Boase, J., Horrigan, J. B., Wellman, B., & Rainie, L. (2001). The strength of Internet ties. Washington, D.C.: Pew Internet and American Life Study.

Chopra, K. & Wallace, W.A. (2003). Trust in electronic environments. Proceedings from HICSS: Thirty-sixth Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences . Maui, HI.

The authors seek to create a unified definition of trust as it is expressed in electronic environments. A review of the recent sociological, economic, psychological and philosophical literature on the nature of trust is thoroughly examined, and a language of concepts established. Within the sphere of the Internet, four dimensions of trustworthiness are discussed: information obtained on the Internet, the computing systems themselves, the economic stability of e-commerce, and the individuals with whom one interacts in virtual environments. Social capital will be a central issue of discussion in my ensuing ethnography, and trust (as well as reciprocity, legitimacy exchange, and shared values and norms) is a crucial element in the accumulation of this form of capital.

Coleman, J. S. (1988). Social capital in the creation of human capital.The American Journal of Sociology, 94 (Supplement), S95-S120.

Dwyer, C. (2007). Digital relationships in the 'MySpace' generation: Results from a qualitative study. Proceedings from HICSS: Fortieth Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences. Maui, HI.

In a qualitative study of online social networking sites and instant messaging, the researchers examined the relationships between technology, behavior, and relationships. A panel of six undergraduates conducted semi-structured interviews of 19 college students, inquiring about self-presentation, dependency for sociality, anonymity and expectations of privacy. Participants reported heavy use of communication technologies, the benefits of which include low cost, convenience, and entertainment. Impression management is seen as a key aspect for how one chooses to craft one's individual profile. When profiles lack authenticity (by seeming contrived or falsified) commonly result in negative judgments by others. The role of anonymity is also discussed: results indicated that the anonymity of an individual was positively correlated with comfort levels, but that the anonymity of others decreased those feelings of comfort. In the final discussion, the researchers defined an underlying framework of connections: communication technology features enable interpersonal relationship management, which is influenced in turn by individual attitudes (such as impression management and privacy concerns). I am incited by this study to investigate the ways in which online social networks foster a sense of a static identity (rather than the fluid identity performance exhibited in offline interactions), the paralanguage of online interaction, and the complex ways in which impression management is enacted.

Ellison, N., Steinfeld, C., Lampe, C. (2007). A familiar Face(book): Profile elements as signals in an online social network. Proceedings from SIGCHI: Conference on Human Factors in Computer Systems . San Jose, CA.

In a quantitative study of over 30,000 Facebook profiles at Michigan State University, the researchers sought to uncover correlations between the amount and types of information presented in profile elements and the size of one's Facebook friend network. This is the third of a series of research projects on this topic. Results are framed through the lens of how individuals use profile elements as signals in order to create common frames of reference, thus reducing the cost of searching and enhancing communication between interactants. The researchers found that the number of profile elements included, in particular assessment signals such as contact information, is directly proportionate to the number of friends in one's Facebook social network. However, the researchers note that a major limitation of their study was a lack of understanding of users' attitudes toward and motivations for including profile information. An emphasis on using interview data in my own research will thus greatly contribute to the body of current research in this area.

Ellison, N., Steinfeld, C., & Lampe, C. (2006). Spatially bounded online social networks and social capital: The role of Facebook. Proceedings from ICA: Annual Conference of the International Communication Association. Dresden, Germany.

The author sought to answer questions regarding the identities and motivations of college Facebook users, as well as the role of social capital. Empirical research was conducted using data derived from a random sample of 800 MSU students. The results showed that 94% of those surveyed were Facebook users, and that Facebook use was associated with stronger high school social capital, interaction with preexisting connections as opposed to forming new connections, and increased social capital for those with low school satisfaction and low self-esteem. The authors discuss the implications of Facebook use for crystallizing relationships that would otherwise remain latent, such as classmates. Also, the researchers suggest pairing survey methods with actual measures of use (assessing Facebook profiles themselves)- a possibility for my own research.

Golder, S.A., Wilkinson, D. & Huberman, B.A. (2007). Rhythms of social interaction: Messaging within a massive online network. Proceedings from ICCT: Third International Conference on Communities and Technologies . East Lansing, MI.

The researchers conducted a large-scale quantitative analysis of 362 million messages sent by 4.2 million Facebook users over a 26-month period. They discovered a temporal rhythm of communication practices that extended across campuses as well as seasons. Messaging and poking are inherently private practices on Facebook, thus freeing users from the pressure of public identity performance. Golder et al; also unpacked the 'Poke' as a subjectively understood, socially meaningful act involving a "virtual intimate object" that necessitates reciprocity. In an analysis of the quantitative findings, Internet sociality occurred most often during time spent working, and rarely during times designated for leisure activity (the weekend). Most messages analyzed were between friends, however the fact that a relatively small proportion of Facebook users send messages raised doubt in the minds of the researchers as to the strength of Facebook "friend" ties. I would argue that the vast majority of private interaction on Facebook takes place on the "walls" of individual profiles, and is far more representative of the pertinence of Facebook-mediated relationships. This study contains a wealth of statistical data concerning Facebook use that could serve useful in future analysis.

Horrigan, J. B. (2001). Online communities: Networks that nurture long-distance relationships and local ties. Washington, D.C.: Pew Internet and American Life Study.

Huysman, M., & Wulf, V. (2004). Social capital and information technology. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

Kavanaugh, A. & Patterson, S. (2001). The impact of community computer networks on social capital and community involvement. American Behavior Scientist, 45 (3), 496-509.

Quan-Haase, A., & Wellman, B. (2004). How does the Internet affect social capital? In M. Huysman & V. Wulf (Eds.), Social capital and information technology (pp. 113-135). Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

Resnick, P. (2001). Beyond bowling together: Sociotechnical capital. In J. Carroll (Ed.), HCI in the new millennium : Addison-Wesley.

Wellman, B., Haase, A. Q., Witte, J., & Hampton, K. (2001). Does the Internet increase, decrease, or supplement social capital? Social networks, participation and community commitment. American Behavioral Scientist, 45 .

Williams, D. (2006). On and off the 'net: Scales for social capital in an online era. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 11 (2).