According to Sampson, community well-being is attributed to high collective efficacy and altruistic character but low personal cynicism. In another article by Sampson published in 2013 he states that when disaster strikes, the sociable people with ties to their community are the survivors of the calamity.
In another study done by J Andre and O. Morin (2011) They explore the idea that Altruistic Character is an evolutionary trait and we altruism is shown to a non-kin it is a male-adaptive byproduct of imitation. I understand their reasoning because they believe that altruism is a defense utilized to protect the family and defend any unwanted violations of family pride. However, as I stated in the previous paragraph, studies have shown that social altruism is highly correlated to survival through devastating events.
However scientists may try to study the phenomenon of Social Altruism I believe that there is a genetic predisposition to do good. I believe that all men are created equally good and through agency they choose to live a selfish, self-centered, altruistic life. I believe there may be genes that can influence Social Altruism and in turn that will also affect social efficacy, but people are free to choose to be acted upon or to act on.
Finally In another study done by Steele et al. (2008), they found that people with higher altruistic behavior were more likely to donate blood because of a sense of duty to help others. As we see, Sampson's work is highly supported by evidence that good communities have a higher lever of social altruism.
REFERENCES
ANDRÉ, J. B., & MORIN, O. O. (2011). Questioning the cultural evolution of altruism. Journal Of Evolutionary Biology, 24(12), 2531-2542
Sampson, R. (2013). Survival of the sociable. New Scientist, 218(2916), 28-29.
Steele, W., Schreiber, G. B., Guiltinan, A., Nass, C., Glynn, S. A., Wright, D. J., & ... Garratty, G. (2008). The role of altruistic behavior, empathetic concern, and social responsibility motivation in blood donation behavior. Transfusion, 48(1), 43-54
Monday, September 30, 2013
Monday, September 23, 2013
How Well do you Agree with your Neighbors?
Collective Efficacy, A complex term used to describe the willingness one possesses to help protect the well-being of others. I feel this principle boils down to one idea. The golden rule, do unto other as you would have them do unto you. If people would live by this one rule, the majority of societies problems would vanish overnight! Because of greed, selfishness, pride and hostility, core values that we teach our children, collective efficacy dissipates and society downgrades into the horrendous situation we find ourselves today.
Sampson Hypothesis that collective efficacy is defined as the social cohesion among neighbors combined with their willingness to intervene on behalf of the common good. Through extremely detailed and precise research he shows strong correlation to a strong collective efficacy and reduced homicide per capita in the 77 districts of Chicago. One distinction that Sampson makes clear is the difference between collective efficacy and "dense social networks" I agree with him that people have their social networks and the bigger picture is collective efficacy. I also believe that people have an innate desire to trust others but because to situations they lack the motivation to make their neighbors part of their social network. People need to understand why collective efficacy will benefit them and as discussed in later chapters, meetings need to be held in order to build this collective efficacy.
In my community I know that if I see shady activity I publish it to everyone that may be affected. Having been a part of a military community, I understand what it means to know every neighbor on the block by name and occupation. If anything would have happened in that community news would have traveled like a brush fire and a plan to stop it from happening again would be implemented almost immediately! If communities would respond to crime in the manner that a military community would have, domestic violence, the most common crime in low-income neighborhoods, would be eliminated.
Studying the article Collective Efficacy Beliefs:Theoretical Developments, Empirical Evidence, and Future Directions, I found that collective efficacy is essential to the cohesion of schools. In the classroom evidence suggests that higher social efficacy leads to higher grades and healthier students. While looking at the success of students we can follow a logical path of thought. If social efficacy is high then self-esteem will be healthy and bullying in the classroom will be lessened leading to a healthier learning environment. Finally, if we have a productive learning environment, students will realize the importance of education, continue on to college and crime rates will be reduced.
I recently read an article that hypothesized that mean girls come from mean moms. If the golden rule is followed, nice will be the new cool and the places like Chicago And St. George will blossom into a community where all citizens share a collective efficacy!
Access to Sage Journals is required for access
Collective Efficacy Beliefs:Theoretical Developments, Empirical Evidence, and Future Directions
http://edr.sagepub.com.libproxy.dixie.edu/content/33/3/3.full.pdf+html
Sampson Hypothesis that collective efficacy is defined as the social cohesion among neighbors combined with their willingness to intervene on behalf of the common good. Through extremely detailed and precise research he shows strong correlation to a strong collective efficacy and reduced homicide per capita in the 77 districts of Chicago. One distinction that Sampson makes clear is the difference between collective efficacy and "dense social networks" I agree with him that people have their social networks and the bigger picture is collective efficacy. I also believe that people have an innate desire to trust others but because to situations they lack the motivation to make their neighbors part of their social network. People need to understand why collective efficacy will benefit them and as discussed in later chapters, meetings need to be held in order to build this collective efficacy.
In my community I know that if I see shady activity I publish it to everyone that may be affected. Having been a part of a military community, I understand what it means to know every neighbor on the block by name and occupation. If anything would have happened in that community news would have traveled like a brush fire and a plan to stop it from happening again would be implemented almost immediately! If communities would respond to crime in the manner that a military community would have, domestic violence, the most common crime in low-income neighborhoods, would be eliminated.
Studying the article Collective Efficacy Beliefs:Theoretical Developments, Empirical Evidence, and Future Directions, I found that collective efficacy is essential to the cohesion of schools. In the classroom evidence suggests that higher social efficacy leads to higher grades and healthier students. While looking at the success of students we can follow a logical path of thought. If social efficacy is high then self-esteem will be healthy and bullying in the classroom will be lessened leading to a healthier learning environment. Finally, if we have a productive learning environment, students will realize the importance of education, continue on to college and crime rates will be reduced.
I recently read an article that hypothesized that mean girls come from mean moms. If the golden rule is followed, nice will be the new cool and the places like Chicago And St. George will blossom into a community where all citizens share a collective efficacy!
Access to Sage Journals is required for access
Collective Efficacy Beliefs:Theoretical Developments, Empirical Evidence, and Future Directions
http://edr.sagepub.com.libproxy.dixie.edu/content/33/3/3.full.pdf+html
Monday, September 16, 2013
Social Order
As stated by Sampson "Shared perceptions of disorder rather that systematically observed disorder appear to be a mechanism of durable inequality." Evaluating this statement I come to the idea that misconceptions and false belief lead communities to have beliefs and biases that are in many cases not true.
The opposite of disorder is order. As we look at the effects of Social disorder, it would be wise to also evaluate the causes of social order. In the article Symbols of Incivility - Social Disorder and Fear of Crime in Urban Neighborhoods, Albert Hunter explains that wholesome public interaction is the key to maintaining social order. He shows that as hostility, insensitivity and aggression brings social disorder. He also explains that many situations are interpreted incorrectly. For example, a group of boys standing on the corner could be interpreted as being mischievous or as preparing for a friendly game of street basket ball. If people were looking to find problems it would be easy to justify the first interpretation, however; is the citizen know the boys, he or she may realize that these boys mean to break no windows in the community.
Recently I visited a small community in the San Pete county. Because the election for mayor is relatively close I asked some of the citizens how they felt about the state of the city and the potential for building a better community. I felt that many of the citizens only wanted answers to their questions. They stated that many of their questions went without the slightest acknowledgement to the mayor and the city council. While investigating further I found that only one person on the city council stood up to the mayor and asked why? The biggest question that went unanswered was why a certain part of the city was better maintained that other parts of the city. A psychologist would look at this situation and try to determine why people are asking questions and what their internal motives are for those who are withholding proper explanation. The
looking at this situation, I envision how communities begin to be segregated. As questions go unanswered, citizens look to find fault with those around them, this leads to hostility and aggression which causes Social disorder. The vicious cycle of finding fault with each other has just begun and who is to blame? I blame the leaders that denied the citizens answers to their questions.
Abraham Lincoln stated "You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today." I believe that these leaders will be held responsible and will be punished according to the crime.
Feel free to read the report by Albert Hunter at
https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/82421.pdf
The opposite of disorder is order. As we look at the effects of Social disorder, it would be wise to also evaluate the causes of social order. In the article Symbols of Incivility - Social Disorder and Fear of Crime in Urban Neighborhoods, Albert Hunter explains that wholesome public interaction is the key to maintaining social order. He shows that as hostility, insensitivity and aggression brings social disorder. He also explains that many situations are interpreted incorrectly. For example, a group of boys standing on the corner could be interpreted as being mischievous or as preparing for a friendly game of street basket ball. If people were looking to find problems it would be easy to justify the first interpretation, however; is the citizen know the boys, he or she may realize that these boys mean to break no windows in the community.
Recently I visited a small community in the San Pete county. Because the election for mayor is relatively close I asked some of the citizens how they felt about the state of the city and the potential for building a better community. I felt that many of the citizens only wanted answers to their questions. They stated that many of their questions went without the slightest acknowledgement to the mayor and the city council. While investigating further I found that only one person on the city council stood up to the mayor and asked why? The biggest question that went unanswered was why a certain part of the city was better maintained that other parts of the city. A psychologist would look at this situation and try to determine why people are asking questions and what their internal motives are for those who are withholding proper explanation. The
looking at this situation, I envision how communities begin to be segregated. As questions go unanswered, citizens look to find fault with those around them, this leads to hostility and aggression which causes Social disorder. The vicious cycle of finding fault with each other has just begun and who is to blame? I blame the leaders that denied the citizens answers to their questions.
Abraham Lincoln stated "You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today." I believe that these leaders will be held responsible and will be punished according to the crime.
Feel free to read the report by Albert Hunter at
https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/82421.pdf
Monday, September 9, 2013
The Entrapment of Self-Pity
After showing a tremendous trend between black and white communities and their rates of poverty, crime and receiving welfare, Sampson poses the question of how do we break the gap? Analyzing the shocking correlations that certain communities have between poverty and crime, We come the realization that some communities have dug themselves into a rut. I believe that this rut is caused by what I call "wallowing in self pity." Citizens of these neighborhoods have been going through a cycle of slow growth that is then destroyed by a rapid freak event that causes them to plummet back into a state of poverty and distress. However, as discussed in chapter 5, some communities have managed to retreat from poverty and find financial stability. These communities have defied the odds and escaped from the rut of self pity.
In contrast, J,R. Flemming shows that activists do not sit around and research to find solutions. The researcher that only searches for solutions but never implements a plan to arouse action is a worthless scumbag that does not deserve his or her education! I would also say the same applies to leaders such as mayors. In fact, Rahm Emanuel, the current mayor of Chicago states that the suggestion of a gulf between downtown and the South and West Sides is a “false dichotomy." Sampson and Flemming would both agree that an gulf would be an understatement. what actually exists is an almost unbreakable barrier comparable to the Berlin wall! Only through putting boots on the street and prying with all of ones might would one be able to escape the rut, climb over the wall and establish a new life.
While studying these two articles I discovered three types of people. The ignorant who ignores the truth, the researcher that wants to help but is too skeptical of the method and the go-getter that actually helps by going to the few, and in this case reconstructing the homes and putting people in them. I want to be the go-getter!
If I were a leader I would make a plant to obtain the general opinion of the public regarding different steps I would take to rebuild the city. After learning the attitude of communities, I would make a personalized plan for each of the 77 communities in Chicago. After the plan had been established, I would inform the citizens of the plan I had in store for them. Even it it took months of going to schools, public events and social gathering, I would instill a vision of what was about to happen to the city or that specific community and how that vision would benefit each individual. As the plan was implemented, I would hire public officials with the purpose to keep morale and enthusiasm high among the communities. Photos of progress would be made public, Students would come home to tell their families of the miracles that were happening and families would begin to follow the leader's vision and pull themselves out of the mire of self pity.
Eventually Chicago would be a thriving metropolitan of industry, education, medical research and self supporting!!!
As stated in my previous blog, I have seen this happen in Italy. after a devastating earthquake, many were homeless and foodless. their community lay in rubble. However, they pulled together to establish a haven among themselves where they took what little they had to rebuild. it took time and much energy, but the mission was accomplished and they greatly improved their circumstances.
In conclusion. who will you chose to be? Only determination and hard work will do the job.
In contrast, J,R. Flemming shows that activists do not sit around and research to find solutions. The researcher that only searches for solutions but never implements a plan to arouse action is a worthless scumbag that does not deserve his or her education! I would also say the same applies to leaders such as mayors. In fact, Rahm Emanuel, the current mayor of Chicago states that the suggestion of a gulf between downtown and the South and West Sides is a “false dichotomy." Sampson and Flemming would both agree that an gulf would be an understatement. what actually exists is an almost unbreakable barrier comparable to the Berlin wall! Only through putting boots on the street and prying with all of ones might would one be able to escape the rut, climb over the wall and establish a new life.
While studying these two articles I discovered three types of people. The ignorant who ignores the truth, the researcher that wants to help but is too skeptical of the method and the go-getter that actually helps by going to the few, and in this case reconstructing the homes and putting people in them. I want to be the go-getter!
If I were a leader I would make a plant to obtain the general opinion of the public regarding different steps I would take to rebuild the city. After learning the attitude of communities, I would make a personalized plan for each of the 77 communities in Chicago. After the plan had been established, I would inform the citizens of the plan I had in store for them. Even it it took months of going to schools, public events and social gathering, I would instill a vision of what was about to happen to the city or that specific community and how that vision would benefit each individual. As the plan was implemented, I would hire public officials with the purpose to keep morale and enthusiasm high among the communities. Photos of progress would be made public, Students would come home to tell their families of the miracles that were happening and families would begin to follow the leader's vision and pull themselves out of the mire of self pity.
Eventually Chicago would be a thriving metropolitan of industry, education, medical research and self supporting!!!
As stated in my previous blog, I have seen this happen in Italy. after a devastating earthquake, many were homeless and foodless. their community lay in rubble. However, they pulled together to establish a haven among themselves where they took what little they had to rebuild. it took time and much energy, but the mission was accomplished and they greatly improved their circumstances.
In conclusion. who will you chose to be? Only determination and hard work will do the job.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
The Ultimate Community
Imagine yourself in a place as phantasmagoric as Disney Land but make it your own neighborhood. Everyone around you radiating with happiness as they live life to the fullest. However, once you pass the Enchanted Castle, everything turns gray and dingy, filth and offal line the street leaving an impermeable stench embedded into every fiber of your clothing.
Believably enough this image is in similitude of cities across America! At one moment one may find him or herself in an advanced, thriving metropolitan area, but further ahead the street, decay, crime and feculence impress upon the mind an everlasting effigy they wish to repress and never revisit.
How do you define yourself as a person? Do you wish to help improve the impoverished community or do you hold your head high and ignore the suffering that will ultimately be the demise of those residents? Where do your values lie?
Despite the constant suffering of many people in this situation, ordinary people can make extraordinary efforts to bring about a change. I have been fortunate enough to see and understand what it takes to make these changes. While living in Italy I saw a community come together, reform their school, beautify the park and develop a friendship that could only come from trial and tribulation. This happened after a devastating earthquake that put many buildings in ruin and killed several people. We have seen time after time, that when tragedy strikes, people unite to build a better community!
Tragedy is all around. When children go without food, proper schooling and parenting society is crumbling. Why do these tragedies go so unattended too?
I belong to a community that is trying to give everyone a fair chance. My community is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Our goal is to help every child of god reach his or her full potential. We do not discriminate against anyone that is sincere and willing to do his or her best! I belong to this community because I genuinely care about the wellbeing of all that are around me. I desire every community that has needs and concerns to work together to resolve problems and find solutions that have never been discovered.
I know that real communities fight to overcome problems. When was the last time you helped someone in need? Do not walk away from a challenge, but rather face it with all you strength and might until you stand the victor!
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