Psychology and Graffiti – Barbara Kondilis

The field of positive psychology emphasizes individual traits such as optimism, openness, including altruism, empathy, while mindfulness can all contribute to well-being and overall happiness. In contrast, individual characteristics, impulsive actions, narcissism expressed through individuality, strong emotions prominent in adolescence through young adulthood,  may lead one to ‘act out’ within a community, which may be lacking limits and community structure; else expressing the need for mentorship and leadership which is often found in the graffiti “crew” structure.  Social psychology defines the concepts of ‘groupthink’ and the need to belong, while impulsive or planned actions lead to immense creativity, but also to vandalism.

Community psychology offers concepts that can inform community development practice by reframing social capital theory where social capital (SC) is generally defined and measured at the interpersonal, community, institutional, or societal levels in terms of networks (bridging) and norms of reciprocity and trust (bonding) within those networks [Perkins, D.D., Hughey, J. & Speer, P.W., (2009). “Community Psychology Perspectives on Social Capital Theory and Community Development Practice.” Journal of the Community Development Society, Vol. 33 (1): 33-52.] Long-term community projects such as the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative (DSNI), in Massachusetts starting 1984 with efforts continuing today https://www.dsni.org/), as individual and group interventions toward the community’s health and well-being are inevitable parts of the field of health psychology but also the field of public health.

A once “dumping ground” and “forgotten neighborhood” can be changed by utilizing short or long-term efforts of community partners with research and environmental clean-up interventions while emphasizing graffiti murals and community events, exemplified in the book,  Streets of Hope (1994). The "right to public space", concepts of civic engagement and related traits of volunteerism, brings us through the new millennium with multilayered individual and community issues. While articles and books have been written around issues of individual actions and public space -- murals and street art – it is clear that individual and group input and related actions can impact for better or worse, all community members, and the wider society.

Barbara Kondilis (Kondyli)