Collaborative Research: Understanding attitude formation at different spatial scales

NSF Award Search · 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT · $136,727 · view on nsf.gov ↗

Abstract

Ultimately, people want to feel connected to people on their block, in their neighborhood, and in their city or town. That connection can in large part depend on interpersonal interactions, whether experienced as pleasant or uncomfortable, and these interactions are often shaped by people’s positive or negative attitudes. What is known about attitude formation is largely based on individual experiences and how those individual experiences influence attitude formation. This project advances what is known about attitude formation and attitude changes, by examining how geographic contexts shape the formation of attitudes and influence the quality of interpersonal interactions. This project tests three questions derived from an interdisciplinary mathematical model of attitude formation. This model draws inspiration from social psychology and urban science to explicitly account for interactions at different spatial scales. Specifically, the project tests: (1) How much do attitudes vary across place and spatial scale? (2) How much can the nested contexts of cities and neighborhoods explain about attitude formation? (3) How much variation in attitudes across spatial scales and places is related to the quality of local interpersonal interactions? To support training for students and researchers, the project also includes the development of an online course and a set of example data analysis pipelines demonstrating the application of these methods. This research develops novel inte

Key facts

NSF award ID
2438784
Awardee
University of Chicago (IL)
SAM.gov UEI
ZUE9HKT2CLC9
PI
Marc G Berman
Primary program
01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
All programs
Artificial Intelligence (AI), SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
Estimated total
$136,727
Funds obligated
$136,727
Transaction type
Standard Grant
Period
07/01/2025 → 06/30/2028