In psychology, self-efficacy is believing in yourself to accomplish something. In the violence and justice space, collective efficacy is how much a group believes their actions can influence the behaviors and future common good of, for example, their neighborhood.
Collective efficacy studies typically ask: How likely are your neighbors to help out another neighbor in need? From 1-5, how much do you trust your neighbors? Do people intervene if something goes wrong?
A 1990s Chicago study found a link between high collective efficacy and lower violent crime rates. Like all things, collective efficacy levels are influenced by systemic conditions, like homeownership, food access, and public transportation. However, the concept allows for agency and self-determination.
Some of the study’s neighborhoods with less violence were Black and low-income. The status quo tells us those neighborhoods need more policing. But high collective efficacy influenced their low rates the most.
This finding challenges ideas like broken windows policing, an irredeemable few being responsible for violence, and needing police to “fix” us.
From mutual aid and babysitting to community gardens and freedom schools, developing high collective efficacy can start anywhere.
Building community means investing in each other. We’re told that criminalization, surveillance, and incarceration keep us safe. But concepts like collective efficacy empower us by asking: What if we can keep each other safe?