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Informal social networks: Possibilities and limitations for their usefulness in social policy
Author(s) -
Brody Julia Green
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
journal of community psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.585
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1520-6629
pISSN - 0090-4392
DOI - 10.1002/1520-6629(198510)13:4<338::aid-jcop2290130403>3.0.co;2-o
Subject(s) - psychological intervention , social exchange theory , variety (cybernetics) , underpinning , interpersonal communication , redistribution (election) , social network (sociolinguistics) , public relations , sociology , public economics , social psychology , psychology , economics , political science , computer science , social media , civil engineering , artificial intelligence , psychiatry , politics , law , engineering
Limited support for public programs to meet social needs is an impetus for psychologists to consider new roles in facilitating informal social networks. The value of social networks is supported by empirical research, and a variety of interventions have already been tried. The theoretical underpinning of these interventions is social exchange theory, which emphasizes reciprocal exchange in interpersonal interactions. This theoretical base implies difficulty in addressing problems requiring redistribution of resources, since social exchange networks tend to perpetuate existing imbalances of wealth. Problems in using informal networks as instruments of social policy also arise from their inherent elements of social control. On the other hand, these informal systems are especially suited for dealing with problems requiring exchange of highly particularistic resources such as love or esteem. Social networks might serve a broader range of needs if conceptions of equitable exchange could be expanded.