What is collective efficacy?

Collective efficacy refers to the social cohesion within a community combined with the willingness and ability of its residents to intervene for the common good. This concept emphasizes the importance of mutual trust among community members and their shared commitment to taking action to address issues such as crime and social disorder. Communities characterized by high collective efficacy tend to have lower crime rates because residents are more likely to work together to create a safe environment, support each other, and establish norms against delinquent behavior.

The other options do not capture the essence of collective efficacy. While the collective performance of a city's economy relates to economic dynamics rather than social cohesion, the effectiveness of community leaders in crime prevention focuses on leadership rather than community-wide engagement. Similarly, collective bargaining in urban development pertains to negotiations between parties for urban improvement, which is a different context altogether. Thus, the definition that encompasses the mutual trust and willingness to intervene for the sake of public order accurately reflects the concept of collective efficacy.