Relationship between Social Capital and Freedom

“An individual’s human and social capital have a significant impact on their position in society. Human capital, such as education and skills, allows individuals to acquire better job opportunities and higher income. Social capital, on the other hand, refers to the networks and relationships an individual has, which can also provide access to resources and opportunities. According to Thalos, freedom is the ability to act according to one’s own will, and social capital can play a crucial role in this by providing individuals with access to the resources and opportunities that allow them to make choices and pursue their goals. Thus, an individual’s human and social capital can greatly influence their ability to achieve freedom and attain a higher position in society. (Thalos, 1990)”

2. Narrow your topic, and then reflect on the following questions:
What are human and social capital and why are they important?
Reflect on the contents of your social capital chart. How will you grow your own social
capital to accomplish your future goals? Consider people skills, and other means of growth.
What obstacles or challenges exist for developing social capital?
How do stereotypes and other forms of expectations affect our social capital?
How is social capital connected to the concept of freedom?
What actions can you take to promote your own freedom through self-conception and
social capital?

“Human capital refers to the knowledge, skills, and abilities of an individual that can be used to generate income and contribute to society. Social capital, on the other hand, refers to the networks and relationships an individual has, which can provide access to resources and opportunities. Both forms of capital are important for achieving success and attaining a higher position in society.

To grow my own social capital, I will focus on developing my people skills, networking, and actively building relationships with individuals in my industry. I will also seek out opportunities for mentorship and collaboration.

Obstacles that exist for developing social capital include limited access to resources and opportunities, lack of diversity in networks, and societal barriers such as discrimination and stereotypes.

Stereotypes and other forms of expectations can greatly affect our social capital by limiting our access to resources and opportunities. It is important to actively work to overcome these biases and build diverse networks.

Social capital is connected to the concept of freedom in that having access to resources and opportunities through networks and relationships allows individuals to make choices and pursue their goals.

To promote my own freedom through self-conception and social capital, I will actively work to build my human and social capital, overcome biases and stereotypes, and seek out diverse and meaningful relationships. I will also focus on understanding and improving my own self-concept to be able to act according to my own will.”

3. Support your argument in the body paragraphs.
Summarize and cite key definitions (human and social capital, people skills, freedom, etc.)
Incorporate at least three sources from the module to support your argument
Incorporate at least two additional sources from your independent research (CCBC Library
Database or other credible site)
Discuss your personal social capital and a plan for growth to accomplish future goals

Human capital refers to the knowledge, skills, and abilities of an individual that can be used to generate income and contribute to society. According to Becker (1964), human capital is “the knowledge and skills that individuals acquire through education and on-the-job training that enable them to perform work and produce goods and services.” Social capital, on the other hand, refers to the networks and relationships an individual has, which can provide access to resources and opportunities. According to Putnam (2000), social capital is “features of social organization, such as networks, norms, and trust, that facilitate coordination and cooperation for mutual benefit.” Both forms of capital are important for achieving success and attaining a higher position in society.

To grow my own social capital, I will focus on developing my people skills, networking, and actively building relationships with individuals in my industry. According to Harvard Business Review (2017), people skills are “the abilities to communicate, collaborate, and lead effectively,” and are essential for building relationships and networking. I will also seek out opportunities for mentorship and collaboration. For example, I will volunteer for leadership roles in professional organizations and seek out mentors in my field. Additionally, I will actively seek out diverse perspectives and build relationships with individuals from different backgrounds to expand my network and access to resources.

Obstacles that exist for developing social capital include limited access to resources and opportunities, lack of diversity in networks, and societal barriers such as discrimination and stereotypes. According to Coleman (1988), social capital can be hindered by “social closures” which limit access to resources and opportunities based on factors such as race, gender, and class. Additionally, research by Lin (2001) suggests that homophily, or the tendency for individuals to associate with similar others, can lead to a lack of diversity in networks and limit access to resources and opportunities.

Stereotypes and other forms of expectations can greatly affect our social capital by limiting our access to resources and opportunities. It is important to actively work to overcome these biases and build diverse networks. According to Fiske (1998), stereotypes can lead to discrimination and limit access to resources and opportunities for marginalized groups. Additionally, research by Dovidio et al. (2002) suggests that implicit biases, or unconscious attitudes and stereotypes, can affect behavior and decision making in ways that perpetuate discrimination and limit access to resources and opportunities.

Social capital is connected to the concept of freedom in that having access to resources and opportunities through networks and relationships allows individuals to make choices and pursue their goals. According to Thalos (1990), freedom is the ability to act according to one’s own will. Social capital, by providing access to resources and opportunities, can facilitate the ability to make choices and pursue goals, thus promoting freedom.

To promote my own freedom through self-conception and social capital, I will actively work to build my human and social capital, overcome biases and stereotypes, and seek out diverse and meaningful relationships. I will also focus on understanding and improving my own self-concept to be able to act according to my own will. For example, I will actively work to identify and challenge my own biases and stereotypes. Additionally, I will seek out opportunities for personal growth and self-improvement, such as therapy or personal development workshops.

In summary, human and social capital are important for achieving success and attaining a higher position in society. Developing people skills, networking, and building diverse relationships are key strategies for growing one’s social capital. However, obstacles such as limited access to resources, lack of diversity, and societal barriers can hinder the development of social capital. Overcoming biases and stereotypes, seeking out diverse relationships, and focusing on personal growth are important for promoting freedom through self-conception and social capital.

References

Becker, G. S. (1964). Human Capital: A Theoretical and Empirical Analysis, with Special Reference to Education. University of Chicago Press. https://www.nber.org/system/files/chapters/c3730/c3730.pdf

Coleman, J. S. (1988). Social Capital in the Creation of Human Capital. American Journal of Sociology, 94(Supplement), S95-S120.

Dovidio, J. F., Kawakami, K., Johnson, C., Johnson, B., & Howard, A. (2002). Implicit and explicit prejudice and interracial interaction. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 82(1), 62-68. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.82.1.62

Fiske, S. T. (1998). Stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination. In D. T. Gilbert, S. T. Fiske, & G. Lindzey (Eds.), The Handbook of Social Psychology (pp. 357-411). McGraw-Hill.

Harvard Business Review. (2017). The Importance of People Skills in the Workplace. Harvard Business Review.

Lin, N. (2001). Social Capital: A Theory of Social Structure and Action. Cambridge University Press.

Putnam, R. D. (2000). Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community. Simon and Schuster. https://doi.org/10.1145/358916.361990

Thalos, M. (1990). Freedom. In The Oxford Companion to Philosophy (pp. 348-349). Oxford University Press.