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!

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Collective Efficacy Beliefs:Theoretical Developments, Empirical Evidence, and Future Directions
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