WILLINGNESS TO INTERVENE - DIFFERING COMMUNITY CHARACTERISTICS

• NCJ Number: 30213
• Journal: Social Problems Volume: 21 Issue: 3 Dated: (1974) Pages: 328-344
• Author(s): J C HACKLER; K HO; C URQUHART-ROSS
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 17 pages
• Corporate Author: Soc for the Study of Social Problems
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

STUDY OF THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH PEOPLE WILL INTERVENE TO HELP SOMEONE ELSE AND WHAT COMMUNITY CHARACTERISTICS PROMOTE OR HINDER THESE CONDITIONS.

Abstract

SMALL GROUP LABORATORY STUDIES SUGGEST THAT THE PRESENCE OF OTHERS HINDERED RATHER THAN PROMOTED A WILLINGNESS TO INTERVENE. OTHER RESEARCH SHOWS THAT FACTORS WHICH ENCOURAGE COMMUNICATION ARE RELATED TO THE WILLINGNESS TO HELP SOMEONE OR RESPOND TO AN ACT OF DEVIANCE. THIS STUDY ATTEMPTS TO APPLY SOME OF THESE IDEAS TO 12 AREAS IN THE CITY OF EDMONTON, ALBERTA. GENERALLY, INCREASED INTERACTION WITHIN A COMMUNITY WAS RELATED TO A WILLINGNESS TO INTERVENE AND TO OTHER PREDICTED VARIABLES. HOWEVER, THE PATTERN DIFFERED IN 'STABLE' AND IN 'UNSTABLE' COMMUNITIES. WHILE THE PREDICTED MODEL MAY BE APPROPRIATE FOR STABLE NEIGHBORHOODS, THE DYNAMICS IN COMMUNITIES WITH GREATER MOBILITY MAY CALL FOR AN ALTERNATE EXPLANATION.