PSYCHOLOGICAL SENSE OF COMMUNITY RESEARCH, APPLICATIONS, AND IMPLICATIONS

Transcription

1 PSYCHOLOGICAL SENSE OF COMMUNITY RESEARCH, APPLICATIONS, AND IMPLICATIONS

2 THE PLENUM SERIES IN SOCIAL/CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY Series Editor: C. R. Snyder University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas Current Volumes in the Series: ADVANCED PERSONALITY Edited by David F. Barone, Michel Hersen, and Vincent B. Van Hasselt ANATOMY OF MASOCHISM June Rathbone CULTURES, COMMUNITIES, COMPETENCE, AND CHANGE Forrest B. Tyler HANDBOOK OF SOCIAL COMPARISON Theory and Research Edited by Jerry Suls and Ladd Wheeler HUMOR The Psychology of Living Buoyantly Herbert M. Lefcourt PERSONAL CONTROL IN ACTION Cognitive and Motivational Mechanisms Edited by Miroslaw Kofta, Gifford Weary, and Grzegorz Sedek PHYSICAL ILLNESS AND DEPRESSION IN OLDER ADULTS A Handbook of Theory, Research, and Practice Edited by Gail M. Williamson, David R. Shaffer, and Patricia A. Parmelee THE PSYCHOLOGY OF SECRETS Anita E. Kelly PSYCHOLOGICAL SENSE OF COMMUNITY Research, Applications, and Implications Edited by Adrian T. Fisher, Christopher C. Sonn, and Brian J. Bishop THE REVISED NEO PERSONALITY INVENTORY Clinical and Research Applications Ralph L. Piedmont SOCIAL COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY History and Current Domains David F. Barone, James E. Maddux, and C. R. Snyder SOURCEBOOK OF SOCIAL SUPPORT AND PERSONALITY Edited by Gregory R. Pierce, Brian Lakey, Irwin G. Sarason, and Barbara R. Sarason A Continuation Order Plan is available for this series. A continuation order will bring delivery of each new volume immediately upon publication. Volumes are billed only upon actual shipment. For further information please contact the publisher.

3 PSYCHOLOGICAL SENSE OF COMMUNITY RESEARCH, APPLICATIONS, AND IMPLICATIONS EDITEDBY ADRIAN T. FISHER Victoria Ulliversity Me/boume, Austra/ia CHRISTOPHER C. SONN Edith COwall University Perth, Australia AND BRIAN J. BISHOP Curlin University Perth, Aus/ra/ia SPRINGER SCIENCE+BUSINESS MEDIA, LLC

4 ISBN ISBN (ebook) DOI / SIHingcr Scicnce+Husiness Media New York Originally published by Kluwer ' Plenum Publishcrs. New York in 2002 SoMcover reprint 01 the hardcover 1st edition A c.i.p. record for this book is available from the Library of Congress All rights reserved No part of this book may be reproduced, store<! in a rctrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, microfilming, recording, or otherwise, wilhout writt{>n pennission from the Publisher, wilh Ihe exception of any malerial supplied specificauy for the purpose of being entered and executed on a computer system, for exdusive use by the purchaser of the work.

5 CONTRIBUTORS Josefina Alvarez, Department of Psychology, DePaul University, 2219 North Kenmore Avenue, Chicago, IL , USA. Helen Vrailas Bateman, Learning Technology Center, Box 45 Peabody College, Vanderbilt University, Nashville TN 32703, USA. Kimberly D. Bess, Department of Human and Organizational Development, Box 90 Peabody College, Vanderbilt University, Nashville TN 37203, USA Brian Bishop, School of Psychology, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth 6845, Australia. Anne Brodsky, Department of Psychology, University of Maryland Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore MD 21250, USA. Sheridan Coakes, Coakes Consulting, Level 5 Edgecliff Centre, New South Head Road, Edgecliff, NSW 2027, Australia. Margaret I. Davis, Department of Psychology, DePaul University, 2219 North Kenmore Avenue, Chicago, IL , USA. Pam D'Rozario, Victoria Park Chiropractic Clinic, 165 Swansea Street, Victoria Park East W A 6101, Australia. Pat Dudgeon, Centre for Aboriginal Studies, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth WA 6845, Australia. Joseph R. Ferrari, Department of Psychology, DePaul University, 2219 North Kenmore Avenue, Chicago, IL , USA. John Fielder, Centre for Aboriginal Studies, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth WA 6845, Australia. Adrian T. Fisher, Department of Psychology, Victoria University - Footscray Park, PO Box 14428, Melbourne City MC, Melbourne VIC 8001, Australia. Wendy M. Garrard, th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37212, USA. Jean Hillier, School of Architecture, Construction and Planning, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth WA 6845, Australia. v

6 vi Contributors Joseph Hughey, Department of Psychology, University of Missouri - Kansas City, 5100 Rockhill Road, Kansas City MO 64110, USA. Leonard A. Jason, Department of Psychology, DePaul University, 2219 North Kenmore Avenue, Chicago, IL , USA. Susan E. Lewis, 401 Chamberlin Park Lane, Franklin TN 37069, USA. D. Adam Long, Department of Psychology, 301 Wilson Hall, Vanderbilt University, Nashville TN 37203, USA. Colleen Loomis, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto CA, USA. Beverly Mahan, Center for Mental Health Policy, Vanderbilt University, th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37212, USA. John Mallard, Centre for Aboriginal Studies, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth WA 6845, Australia. Christine M. Marx, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Public Health, Baltimore MD USA. Ron Miers, WCIG Employment Services, 151 Nicholson Street, Footscray Vic 3011, Australia. John R. Newbrough, Department of Human and Organizational Development, Box 90 Peabody College, Vanderbilt University, Nashville TN 37203, USA. Bradley D. Olson, Department of Psychology, DePaul University, 2219 North Kenmore Avenue, Chicago, IL , USA. Darlene Oxen ham, Centre for Aboriginal Studies, Curtin University, GPO Box U 1987, Perth W A 6845, Australia. Clare Pollock, School of Psychology, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth 6845, Australia. Douglas D. Perkins, Department of Human and Organizational Development, Box 90 Peabody College, Vanderbilt University, Nashville TN 37203, USA Grace M. H. Pretty, School of Psychology, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba QLD 4350, Australia. Tomi Redman, TRANX, PO Box 186, Burwood Vic 3125, Australia. Lynne D. Roberts, School of Psychology, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth WA 6845, Australia. Sandra Sigmon, Department of Psychology, University of Maine, Orono ME 04469, USA. Leigh M. Smith, School of Psychology, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth WA 6845, Australia. C. Richard Snyder, Department of Psychology, University of Kansas, Lawrence KS 66045, USA.

7 Contributors vii Christopher C. Sonn, School of Psychology, Edith Cowan University, 100 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup WA 6127, Australia. Paul W. Speer, Department of Human and Organizational Development, Box 90 Peabody College, Vanderbilt University, Nashville TN 37203, USA Stacy R. Whitcomb, Department of Psychology, University of Maine, Orono ME 04469, USA.

8 PREFACE Our work on psychological sense of community has been ongoing for more than a decade. As community psychologists, it has always been a part of our background knowledge, and a frame of reference for us. Despite the notable efforts by some community psychology researchers, it is a concept that has not had the impact on psychology that Seymour Sarason envisioned in The major impetus for our involvement stems from the Biennial Conference of the Society for Community Research and Action held in Tempe, Arizona in It was at this meeting that Brian Bishop and Adrian Fisher first met Bob Newbrough and Paul Dokecki from Peabody. Newbrough and Dokecki, along with theologian Bob O'Gorman, presented their sense of community and community development work undertaken in a Catholic parish. It was work that had an immediate resonance in the utility of the theory in addressing a significant social problem. In Australia, Brian and Adrian worked on their own projects and with their students to determine how well sense of community could be applied to a variety of problems, settings, and populations. Christopher Sonn used the theory as a part of his doctoral research on the settlement of an immigrant population. While we continued this work, the links with our colleagues at Peabody College were extended with a series of visits across the Pacific. Together we witnessed a growth in interest in sense of community theory in our discipline, and in related areas. At the most positive level, we witnessed the growth of a new set of applications of a powerful theory, but one that required significant refinement in terms of its nature, impact, and measurement. At the most cynical level, we viewed the loss of meaning in the term as it was used as everything from a research theory to a slogan used by land developers in their advertising. At times, it seemed that to just invoke the term community was seen as a way of solving social problems -- a panacea without any real ix

9 x Preface intervention or meaning. Indeed, even community itself is often not defined, we just assume that it is there and it is good -- whatever it is. The genesis of this book was our interest in the many and varied ways in which community can be defined and measured. We chose researchers who have been undertaking work in sense of community that can provide some type of exemplars of the research, methods, or applications that can lead to a fuller understanding of sense of community, where it comes from, and what it actually can do for individuals and groups. It is anticipated that the authors have been able to provide a clearer conceptualization and understanding of the reality of sense of community -- what it can and cannot achieve. We wish to express our thanks to quite a few people who have contributed to the development and realization of this book. Firstly, the authors who have taken the time and enthusiasm to their chapters, and the various editorial demands placed upon them. A large number of students, colleagues, and authors have contributed to the refereeing and reviewing of chapters so that we can provide authors with the necessary feedback. We also express our appreciation to Eliot Werner and Rick Snyder for accepting and encouraging the proposal, and to Sarah Williams for the final editorial assistance. At Victoria University, we wish to thank the Faculty of Arts and the computing staff for access to printing facilities set up to use this peculiar US sized paper. The School of Psychology at Edith Cowan University provided Chris with time and travel costs to visit Melbourne for editorial work. Finally, special recognition is given to the Department of Psychology of Victoria University for making available a substantial amount of time to Adrian to work on this book.

10 CONTENTS PART I: INTRODUCTION 1 Psychological Sense of Community: Theory, Research, and Application Kimberly D. Bess, Adrian T Fisher, Christopher C. Sonn, and Brian J. Bishop PART II: LOCATIONAL COMMUNITIES 2 Psychological Home Sandra T Sigmon, Stacy R. Whitcomb, and C. R. Snyder 3 Presumptive Planning: From Urban Design to Community Creation in One Move? Jean Hillier 4 Community, Sense of Community, and Networks Joseph Hughey and Paul W Speer PART III: SPECIFIC SETTINGS 5 Sense of Community of Young Women in Custody Tomi Redman and Adrian T Fisher xi

11 xii Contents 6 Sense of Community Among Oxford House Residents Recovering From Substance Abuse: Making a House a Home Joseph R Ferrari, Leonard A. Jason, Bradley D. Olson, Margaret I Davis, and Josefina Alvarez 7 Sense of Community in a University Setting: Campus as Workplace Beverly B. Mahan, Wendy M. Garrard, Susan E Lewis, and John R. Newbrough 8 Being Church and Community: Psychological Sense of Community in a Local Parish Ron Miers and Adrian T. Fisher 9 Sense of Community in the School: Listening to Students' Voices Helen Vrailis Bateman PART IV: SPECIFIC GROUPS 10 Young People's Development of the Community-Minded Self: Considering Community Identity, Community Attachment and Sense of Community Grace M. H. Pretty 11 Immigrant Adaptation: Understanding the Process Through Sense of Community Christopher C. Sonn 12 MOOing Till the Cows Come Home: The Search for Sense of Community in Virtual Environments Lynne Roberts, Leigh Smith, and Clare Pollock 13 Contemporary Aboriginal Perceptions of Community Pat Dudgeon, John Mallard, Darlene Oxenham, and John Fielder

12 Contents xiii PART V: METHODOLOGICAL AND THEORETICAL DEVELOPMENTS 14 Sense of Community in Rural Communities: A Mixed Methodological Approach Brian J. Bishop, Sheridan Coakes, Pam D'Rozario 15 Neighborhood Sense of Community and Social Capital: A Multi-Level Analysis Douglas D. Perkins and D. Adam Long 16 Expanding the Conceptualization ofpsoc Anne E. Brodsky, Colleen Loomis, and Christine M. Marx Index

13 PSYCHOLOGICAL SENSE OF COMMUNITY RESEARCH, APPLICATIONS, AND IMPLICATIONS