Building Social CapitalHow the news and the strength of the ties in the political discussion foster reciprocity

  1. Ardèvol-Abreu, Alberto 1
  2. Diehl, Trevor 1
  3. Gil de Zúñiga, Homero 12
  1. 1 University of Vienna, Media Innovation Lab (MiLab)
  2. 2 Universidad Diego Portales
    info

    Universidad Diego Portales

    Santiago de Chile, Chile

    ROR https://ror.org/03gtdcg60

Journal:
Revista internacional de sociología

ISSN: 0034-9712

Year of publication: 2018

Volume: 76

Issue: 1

Type: Article

DOI: 10.3989/RIS.2018.76.1.16.147 DIALNET GOOGLE SCHOLAR lock_openOpen access editor

More publications in: Revista internacional de sociología

Sustainable development goals

Abstract

Reciprocity, a social principle that emerges in non-negotiated, inter-personal exchange, is arguably a key construct in generating social capital. However, little research has made this empirical connection. Building on an Orientation-Stimulus-Reasoning-Orientation-Response model, this study advances a theoretical and empirical model in which news use and political discussion tie strength contributes to the development of reciprocity and social capital. Drawing on two-wave panel data, results suggest that reciprocity is a strong predictor of social capital. News media use also directly predicts reciprocity, as well as political discussion with both strong and weak ties, and social capital. Additionally, discussion with weak ties and reciprocity mediate the relationship between news use and social capital.

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