A Personal Construct Approach to Urban Neighbourhood Cognition

Abstract

<p> The importance of neighbourhood identification as part of the overall urban image is outlined. The manner in which individuals cognitively structure neighbourhood is examined along two major lines of enquiry. Firstly, differences in the spatial extent of neighbourhood with which respondents identify, are related to their socio-economic and role profiles. The second section of the study uses the methodology of Personal Construct Theory, in particular, the repertory grid test, to elicit the constructs or attributes which individuals use in deciding that certain segments of the surrounding district are within their cognitive neighbourhood while other segments are felt to be outside. The findings indicate that statements about social class and surrogates for this variable, are the primary discriminator between neighbourhood and non-neighbourhood.</p>