Marginality and Mattering (Schlossberg, 1989)

Theory - Marginality and Mattering (Schlossberg, 1989)

Definition - this theory was developed to explain what makes students more likely to transition to college. Schlossberg  theorized that the success or failure of a student's transition (e.g. from their hometown to University) is directly related to the level to which they feel they matter in their new environment.

Evergreen State College. (n.d.) Community Development Theories. Retrieved from http://www.evergreen.edu/housing/RAManual/section2.2combuild.htm

Application - Marginality and Mattering is critical to community development. Ensuring that all community members who want to be part of the community's development have an opportunity to do so and to feel that they matter. This is what will make them feel included in the group and make them want to stay.

Alternative Application - This theory could be applied to the school of social work and SEED week. SEED week was designed to build group cohesion, which will keep people in the school of social work from being marginalized and help them feel they matter within the school. This will help make sure the school of social work has high graduation rates.