Integrating Sociological and Psychological Perspectives on Collective Efficacy

Authors

Michael Gearhart, University of Missouri-St. LouisFollow

Keywords

Collective efficacy, mutual efficacy, social cohesion, collective action, theory

Abstract

Collective efficacy is rooted in both psychology, and sociology. Discussions of the differences between the sociological and psychological conceptualization and operationalization of collective efficacy is limited. In psychology, collective efficacy reflects a group’s belief that collective action can be successful. In sociology, collective efficacy is a theory that describes the process by which social cohesion is activated as informal social control. Mutual efficacy was designed to incorporate the psychological concept of efficacy into collective efficacy theory. In this study, I conduct a multilevel confirmatory factor analysis to study the factor structure of social cohesion, mutual efficacy, and informal social control both between and within neighborhoods.

Recommended Citation

Gearhart, Michael (2019) "Integrating Sociological and Psychological Perspectives on Collective Efficacy," The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare: Vol. 46: Iss. 3, Article 5.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15453/0191-5096.4233
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw/vol46/iss3/5