Wldn 2010 Wk2Assgn1.docx - Anatomy of a Problem Department...

Anatomy of a Problem
Department of Psychology, Walden University
WLDN-2010 What's your Problem?

Anatomy of a Problem
I am planning on going into forensic psychology, so my minor is in Criminal Justice. The
scenario from the assignment handout that was most applicable to this field was number three.
In this hypothetical situation I am a consultant who has been hired by a city councilman whose
community has fallen on hard times. The closing of a mill that was the root of the town’s
economy resulted in a “decline of housing values, tax revenues, public school performance
standards, and a shrinking population.”
After some beautification initiatives new residents moved to the town bringing with them
a younger population. Over the course of the city’s decline measures were taken to reduce
spending on parks and recreation. Playgrounds currently close early and there is no community
center or the like where youth can gather safely. Not surprisingly their boredom led to an
increase of nuisance crimes such as graffiti. The long-time residents want to blame the new
“immigrant” population for the increase in “gang-like activities.”