In a neighborhood with high collective efficacy, which outcome is most likely?

In a neighborhood with high collective efficacy, which outcome is most likely?

• A. High crime rates
• B. Isolation of families
• C. Mutual trust and monitoring
• D. Inadequate resources

Answer: (C)

Collective efficacy is the combination of strong social ties among neighbors and a shared commitment to act for the common good. When people know each other, trust one another, and expect to intervene for the neighborhood’s welfare, they monitor what’s happening, deter trouble, and help each other out. This dynamic makes mutual trust and informal monitoring the most likely result in such a community. High crime rates are unlikely because neighbors intervene and supervise; isolation of families would erode the close social fabric; and inadequate resources aren’t a defining outcome of collective efficacy.

Collective efficacy is the combination of strong social ties among neighbors and a shared commitment to act for the common good. When people know each other, trust one another, and expect to intervene for the neighborhood’s welfare, they monitor what’s happening, deter trouble, and help each other out. This dynamic makes mutual trust and informal monitoring the most likely result in such a community. High crime rates are unlikely because neighbors intervene and supervise; isolation of families would erode the close social fabric; and inadequate resources aren’t a defining outcome of collective efficacy.