Type of Document	Dissertation
Author	Anderson, Mary R.
Author's Email Address	mra8203@garnet.acns.fsu.edu
URN	etd-05132005-220803
Title	Beyond Membership: A Sense of Community and Political Action
Degree	Doctor of Philosophy
Department	Political Science, Department of
Advisory Committee	Advisor Name Title Jeffery J. Mondak Committee Chair Carol Weissert Committee Member Charles Barrilleaux Committee Member John Reynolds Committee Member Tom Carsey Committee Member
Keywords	Community Action Sense of Community Political Participation Local Political Action
Date of Defense	2005-05-09
Availability	unrestricted
Abstract The purpose of this project is to gain a broader understanding of how the multiple contexts in which individuals interact influence political behavior and attitudes. By drawing upon and adapting work from community psychology the research questions in this project ask 1) to what extent does sense of community vary within contexts—if at all? and 2) if variance does exist, does it matter for political behavior and attitudes? For example, people might have a sense of community from their neighborhoods or their workplaces but they may also have a sense of community from belonging to an organization or a church. Attention to how sense of community develops and how much variation exists within each context are critical to broadening our understanding of how to model the process of how, why, and when social forces influence individuals’ attitudes and behaviors. Does sense of community enhance participation, lead to increased trust, and produce more interest in local governance? Original data from a random group of citizens in Tallahassee, Florida are used to address these questions.
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