Activism + Prosociality + Communities

Feeling a part of a community can influence opportunities for employment, education, language competence, and social connection.

How do we learn to care about others? Due to the increasing visibility of victimization and violence towards groups of color, it is important to understand how attitudes oriented towards helping and empathizing with others are developed and sustained.

Social activism yields different health effects compared to volunteering (e.g., stress, burnout, etc). What are the psychosocial mechanisms that contribute to these differences, and what protective factors allow for social activists to maintain a change-agent view of the world? (Photo credit: Misan Harriman)

Community is defined in many different ways. This project involves coding responses from middle-aged and older Chicago residents about their definition of community. Why is this important?