Using one's social networks for personal gain is an example of which concept?

• A. Cultural Capital
• B. Social Capital
• C. Ethnocentrism
• D. Achieved Status

Answer: (B)

Social capital refers to the benefits that come from your social networks—the people you know, the trust among them, and the norms of reciprocity that allow you to access information, opportunities, and support. Using your networks for personal gain is a direct example of mobilizing social capital: you draw on those connections to obtain resources or advantages that might not be reachable through formal channels. This differs from cultural capital (assets like education and cultural knowledge that help you move up in society), ethnocentrism (judging other cultures by your own standards), and achieved status (a social position earned through your own actions rather than through networks).