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Attachment to place: Discriminant validity, and impacts of disorder and diversity
Author(s) -
Taylor Ralph B.,
Gottfredson Stephen D.,
Brower Sidney
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
american journal of community psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.113
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1573-2770
pISSN - 0091-0562
DOI - 10.1007/bf00923265
Subject(s) - criminal justice , economic justice , sociology , criminology , citation , library science , law , political science , computer science
We sought to establish the discriminant validity of related concepts: territoriality and attachment to place. Further, we investigated the contextual determinants of attachment. We hypothesized that persons living in more heterogeneous neighborhoods would be less attached. We also hypothesized that levels of perceived or objective disorder would be negatively associated with attachment levels. The hypotheses were tested using data from a survey of 687 heads of household in Baltimore, Maryland. Data on police activity and neighborhood characteristics were also gathered. A clear territorial dimension and two attachment dimensions (Rooted and Involved; Acquaintanceship) were identified. Regressions of each dimension supported the distinctness of territoriality and attachment, as well as the hypothesized impacts of diversity and disorder on attachment. Not only are some people more attached to place than others but there are also some places to which people can become attached more easily. This study is the first to establish the direct impacts of diversity on attachment to place.