Module 3: The Psychology of Citizen Participation


Major Sections

I. Motivation ResearchII. Identify Psychological Factors
III. Strategies to Increase Citizen Participation Trainer's Notes
Time Introductory Comments

Time

10:00 a.m.-11:15 a.m. (1 hour, 15 minutes)

Introductory Comments

In this section, the participants will examine the psychological factors that have an impact on citizen participation in community-based initiatives.

They will also develop specific strategies to enhance citizen participation.

I. Motivation Research (15 min.)

RS-3: Motivational Research

Refer participants to "Motivational Research" in their manual.

A. Present mini-teach on Maslow's Theory

T-3: Maslow's Theory

  1. People want to satisfy their unmet needs.

  2. People have five levels of need:

    Level #1 Physiological (food, water, air)  
    Level #2 Safety (shelter, defense, skills)  
    Level #3 Social (friends, relationships, etc.)  
    Level #4 Esteem (to be valued, admired, etc.)  
    Level #5 Self-actualization (to reach one's potential, to use one's talents)  

  3. People are motivated by their lowest level of unmet need, for example ... safety before social.

  4. Only unmet needs motivate; therefore, once a need is met, it no longer acts as a motivating factor.

B. Present mini-teach on McClelland's Theory (5 min.)

  1. People are motivated by:


    Note: These are just two theoretical models. Other models can be used; include a model that states the four parts of the whole person, are the mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional components.

C. Group Discussion (5 min.)

Facilitate discussion on how these theories can help the participants in working with volunteers.

II. Identify Psychological Factors (15 min.)

A. Prepare Newsprint

  1. Label one newsprint pad with the headline:

  2. And another pad with:

B. Group Sharing

  1. Give the participants time to think about the two questions printed on the newsprint.

  2. Ask them to identify the factors that influence why they/others do or don't get involved in a community initiative.

  3. Write the key factors on the newsprint.
Trainer Note: See Trainer's Notes at the end of this unit for a listing of possible factors.

C. Report results from "Giving and Volunteering in the United States," a Gallup Poll, 1992

RS-4: Volunteer Trends
T-5: Volunteer Trends

Why People Volunteer

  1. They were asked-42%
  2. Organization participation-41%
  3. Because someone they loved was involved-28%
  4. Sought out activity on their own-21%
  5. Ad or media information-6%
Why People Do Not Volunteer
  1. Too busy-57%
  2. Unable to honor commitment-15%
  3. Time is too valuable; already done enough-13%
  4. Health reasons-11%
Why People Who Would Volunteer Don't

No One Asked Them!

D. Compare and contrast the findings gleaned from the groups sharing with Gallop poll results.

ASK: What surprised you about these results?
What does this tell you about recruitment?


BREAK (15 min.)

III. Strategies to Increase Citizen Participation (45 min.)

A. Small Work Groups (specify size-e.g., 6 to 8 persons is best, but no more than 10 persons).

RS-5: Strategies for Increasing Citizen Participation

  1. Divide the participants into small work groups.

  2. Ask half of the work groups to discuss/identify specific actions that can be taken to capitalize on the reasons for "Why people do get involved."

  3. Ask the other half to discuss/identify specific actions that can be taken to minimize the reasons for "Why people don't get involved."

  4. Ask for one person in each group to serve as the group's recorder/reporter.

  5. Encourage all of the participants to record their findings on the Reference Sheet "Strategies for Increasing Citizen Participation."

B. Large Group Sharing

  1. Ask each group's recorder to report one of their key strategies.

  2. List these strategies for improving citizen participation on a sheet of newsprint.

  3. Discuss... compare and contrast the developed strategies.

  4. Post the strategies on the wall-keep them there for the entire training program and make reference to these points.

Trainer's Notes

"Why Do People Get Involved?"

Someone asked them

Want to feel part of a group

The issue is important to them intellectually and/or emotionally

They believe that their action will make a difference

They get some sort of "reward" for their involvement

It is fun-it feels good

The "right" person asked them

It was easy to get involved—It didn't require lots of time

Support and respect the mission and goals of initiative

Because other community leaders are visible involved

Personal involvement with issue

Feel appreciated—Were thanked for their previous help

Understand and feel comfortable discussing the issue

Were involved in the planning process

Comfortable level of structure, process and leadership

Friends are involved and opportunity to meet new friends

Feel very strongly—passionately about the issue

Why Don't People Get Involved?"

No one asked them

Uncomfortable talking about the issue

Their friends, relatives, co-workers might think they are involved with drugs and/or alcohol

Afraid their involvement will become all-consuming

Concerned they might not know what to do or how to do it

Believe that it is not an issue that impacts them

Don't believe that their involvement will change anything

Ambivalent—Apathetic

Immobilized and discouraged by scope of problem

Don't want to be political—Don't want to rock the boat

Too emotional about the issue

Have only a limited amount of time and/or money

They do not want to fail

Afraid of confrontation/criticism—want to please everyone

Fear/danger