SOCIAL AREA ANALYSIS AND STRUCTURAL EFFECTS

An attempt is made to identify socially distinct residential areas in an English city along two dimensions, social status and familism, using the theory and method of Social Area Analysis developed by Shevky and Bell. Evidence is produced to support the claim that the area types defined by using both dimensions are demographically and socially distinct. Suggestions are then made for incorporating the area typology into studies of human behaviour through the method for separating the effects of social context from the effects of individual attributes suggested by Davis, Spaeth and Huson. These are illustrated using survey data on social and political participation.