Social Effects of Culture
Exploratory Statistical Evidence
2008, 43 pages. Hill Strategies Research, Inc., Hamilton, Ontario, (877) 445-5494, www.hillstrategies.com
http://www.hillstrategies.com/docs/Social_effects_culture.pdf
This report examines the relationship between four cultural activities (reading books, attending live performances, visiting art galleries and attending movie theatres) and specific social phenomena: volunteering and donating, neighborhood connections, sense of belonging, social activities, labor force participation, and quality of life. Other studies have outlined potential social effects of culture, and this report acknowledges the multiple factors that play a significant role in the social indicators it examines, and does not claim to be definitive. It does purport to show a positive relationship between cultural activities and social engagement, and provides statistical evidence to support the claim.