Psychology
Social Capital Theory and Its Role in Community Resilience
Quick fact
Communities with strong social capital—dense networks, trust, and norms of reciprocity—often recover from disasters faster than wealthier but less connected communities, because they can coordinate aid, share information, and provide informal support.
Why this is interesting
You've seen it after a storm: one neighborhood rebuilds in months, another is stalled for years. What makes the difference? It's not just money or luck—it's something invisible called social capital.