Small groups vs. the Internet : two types of personal interaction and their effects on social capital

Abstract

This study examines the differences between interaction in Internet chat rooms and face to face communication and the effect those differences have on the development of social capital. Much has been written recently regarding the decline of social capital as evidenced by decreasing membership in small organizations. However, relatively little has been written about the potential for social capital to be_ developed through other forms of interaction. Results of this study indicate that though there are differences in the two experimental groups, there are no statistically significant differences between them.