Sense of community, collective efficacy, and perceived police efficacy: Research from a social cognitive perspective

This research investigates the relationship between two aspects of social cohesion on perceived police efficacy: (1) Sense of community, which is related to individual belonging and attachment to a place, as well as and trust and influence among residents; and (2) Collective efficacy, which is defined as cohesion among residents, combined with shared expectations for the social control of public spaces. Based in social disorganization theory and social cognitive theory, this study analyzes to what extent sense of community and collective efficacy affect perceptions of police work. This study was conducted in with residents from four neighborhoods from Wilmington, DE. Face-to-face household surveys were undertaken with randomly selected residents, resulting in 179 valid cases. Results show that collective efficacy was consistently the best predictor of perceived police efficacy.

Name thesis:degree_name

MA

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Sociology and Anthropology

Year dc:date.available

2010

Author dc:creator

• Rodrigues, Ellen Belchior

Contributors dc:contributor

• James Nolan.
• Jennifer Steele
• Ronald Althouse

• Criminology
• Social structure

Identifier

https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/856

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:researchrepository.wvu.edu:etd-1859