The psychological link between the perception of neighborhood change and action.
Item
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Title
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The psychological link between the perception of neighborhood change and action.
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Identifier
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AAI9917690
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identifier
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9917690
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Creator
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Rajagopal, Doris Elizabeth.
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Contributor
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Adviser: Leanne Rivlin
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Date
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1999
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Psychology, Social | Urban and Regional Planning
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Abstract
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The goal of this study was to explain how the perception of neighborhood change effects a resident's reaction to change. The setting for the study was a working-class inner-city neighborhood. This neighborhood experienced changes in 1980's, which could be described as gentrification. Some of the newer people who moved into the neighborhood were more educated and had higher wages than most of the current residents and housing prices increased dramatically. Thirty long-term residents, five former residents, and two new residents were interviewed. The respondents were not asked specifically about gentrification, but about how they thought the neighborhood has changed over the years. The respondent's reaction to neighborhood change was influenced by the nature of the change, as well as individual characteristics. Most respondents only reacted to those changes that had an immediate impact on their lives, but they did attend to those they thought might affect them in the future. The perception and interpretation of the changes were influenced by the resident's attachment to his or her neighborhood, the resident's self-identity and world-view. Many of the residents identified with middle-class values, although they did not have a middle-class income. This affected their perception and reaction to change. Some residents had a long-standing and deep connection to their neighborhood. Because of this they accepted change rather than break the bond with their neighborhood. The idea of a threshold of neighborhood change was introduced in order to interpret these findings. One group of respondents was identified as activists because of their long-term involvement around many community issues. They were involved because of an intrinsic belief that it was their responsibility to give back to their community. They said the belief system developed through interactions with their parents and/or religious ideology. They were active despite not always feeling attached to the neighborhood and not always being directly affected by neighborhood change.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
