“A bad neighbour is as great a plague as a good one is a great blessing” – on negative relationships between neighbours

Abstract

With research on social relations hitherto, it is not clear how negative relationships between neighbours emerge. In this study therefore, arguments are developed on the conditions within neighbourhoods and on individual characteristics, that facilitate negative relations amongst neighbours. The arguments are divided according to three perspectives: diversity, uncertainty, and social learning. Most support is found for the social learning perspective, and both the neighbourhood and the individual level seem important in explaining negative relationships. Important factors that explain the likelihood for negative relationships are collective efficacy, religious diversity, and individually perceived conflict in the neighbourhood. However, people who have more relationships outside of the neighbourhood, undergo less influence of perceived conflict.