Date of Award
2013
Degree Type
Thesis
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Slane, Steven
Subject Headings
City and town life -- Psychological aspects, City and town life -- Ohio -- Cleveland, Urban renewal -- Ohio -- Cleveland -- Psychological aspects, Psychology
Abstract
The study examined factors influencing an individual's decision to move to and later commitment to remain in Ohio City and Detroit Shoreway, two low income neighborhoods in Cleveland, Ohio. Based on cognitive dissonance theory, it was predicted that paradoxically, people who were victims of crime would demonstrate greater commitment to their neighborhood than would those not victimized. Unexpectedly, I found that crime did not increase or decrease commitment. The study found that neighborhood amenities and seeing improvements in basic services were key to neighborhood commitment. This implies that small investments and specific interventions can help revitalize low income inner city neighborhoods by attracting a higher tax base
Recommended Citation
Beckford, Nelson S., "Cognitive Dissonance, Crime and Commitment to Urban Life: Why Individuals with Means Choose to Live and Remain in Largely Low Income Neighborhoods" (2013). ETD Archive. 702.
https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/etdarchive/702
