Some initial considerations in the measurement of community identity

Although community identity is an area of research interest with important ramifications for all those concerned with issues of community, this paper argues that, with the possible exception of the psychological sense of community (PSOC), there is relatively little coordinated research emerging under the influence of a strong body of psychological theory. An approach emphasizing the common ground between this and related psychological approaches is put forward, such that both the common and unique qualities of the identities of communities might be made subject to rigorous and meaningful analysis.