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McMillan & Chavis's (1986) theory (and instrument) are the most broadly validated and widely utilized in this area in the psychological literature. They prefer the abbreviated label "sense of community", and propose that sense of community is composed of four elements. Four elements of sense of community There are four elements of "sense of community" according to the McMillan & Chavis theory: Membership Membership includes five attributes: boundaries emotional safety a sense of belonging and identification personal investment a common symbol system Influence Influence works both ways: members need to feel that they have some influence in the group, and some influence by the group on its members is needed for group cohesion. Current researches (e.g. Chigbu, 2013) on rural and urban communities have found that sense of community is a major factor in development.[1] Integration and fulfillment of needs Members feel rewarded in some way for their participation in the community. Shared emotional connection The "definitive element for true community" (1986, p. 14), it includes shared history and shared participation (or at least identification with the history). Dynamics within and between the elements McMillan & Chavis (1986) give the following example to illustrate the dynamics within and between these four elements (p. 16): Someone puts an announcement on the dormitory bulletin board about the formation of an intramural dormitory basketball team. People attend the organizational meeting as strangers out of their individual needs (integration and fulfillment of needs). The team is bound by place of residence (membership boundaries are set) and spends time together in practice (the contact hypothesis). They play a game and win (successful shared valent event). While playing, members exert energy on behalf of the team (personal investment in the group). As the team continues to win, team members become recognized and congratulated (gaining honor and status for being members). Someone suggests that they all buy matching shirts and shoes (common symbols) and they do so (influence). Current research In their 2002 study of a [community of interest], specifically - science fiction fandom community, Obst, Zinkiewicz, and Smith suggest Conscious Identification as the fifth dimension (Obst, 2002). |
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