Glossary / Lexicon

Deutsch: Staatsbürgerschaft / Español: Ciudadanía / Português: Cidadania / Français: Citoyenneté / Italiano: Cittadinanza

In the psychology context, "citizenship" extends beyond its traditional legal definition of a person's status as a member of a particular country. It encompasses the psychological sense of belonging, participation, and engagement individuals experience within their community or society. This concept reflects how people perceive their role and responsibilities as members of a community, and how this perception influences their behavior, attitudes, and social interactions. Psychological citizenship can involve aspects of identity, social connectedness, civic engagement, and the internalization of community values and norms.

General

Psychological citizenship highlights the importance of feeling recognized, valued, and integrated within one's community. It underscores the role of psychological factors in motivating individuals to contribute positively to society, participate in civic activities, and support social cohesion.

Description

In psychology, citizenship involves several key dimensions:

• Identity and Belonging: How individuals identify with their community or society and the sense of belonging they feel.
• Civic Engagement: Participation in community activities, political processes, and public services as an expression of commitment to societal welfare.
• Social Responsibility: Recognition and acceptance of one's duties and obligations towards others and the community at large.
• Empowerment: Feeling capable of making meaningful contributions to society and having the opportunity to participate in decisions that affect one's life.

Application Areas

• Community Psychology: Investigates how citizenship influences social integration, community development, and the promotion of collective well-being.
• Political Psychology: Explores the psychological underpinnings of civic engagement, political participation, and attitudes towards governance and public policies.
• Social Psychology: Examines the impact of social identity, group dynamics, and intergroup relations on perceptions of citizenship and community participation.

Examples

• A study examining the Relationship between civic engagement and subjective well-being, suggesting that active participation in community and civic activities is associated with higher levels of personal satisfaction and happiness.
• Research on youth empowerment programs that aim to foster a sense of citizenship among young people by encouraging their involvement in community service and civic activities.

Risks

A lack of psychological citizenship can lead to feelings of alienation, social exclusion, and reduced participation in community life. This disengagement can undermine social cohesion and the overall well-being of individuals and communities.

Articles with 'Citizenship' in the title

• Organizational citizenship: Organizational citizenship means making positive contributions to the success of an organization in ways that go beyond one's job description.
• Organizational citizenship behaviors: Organizational citizenship behaviors refer to behaviors that are not part of an employee’s job but which make the organization a better place to work

Summary

In the psychology context, "citizenship" refers to a psychological sense of belonging, participation, and engagement that individuals experience within their community. It encompasses aspects of identity, civic engagement, social responsibility, and empowerment, highlighting the significant impact of psychological factors on how individuals contribute to and participate in society. Understanding psychological citizenship can provide valuable insights into promoting social integration, civic participation, and the overall well-being of communities.

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