Definition: The knowledge gap theory discusses the discrepancy between highly and poorly educated individuals. It acknowledges that although information and education is thought to be accessible for all members of society, it is much easier for folks from higher SES backgrounds tend to access different types of knowledge and information than folks from lower SES backgrounds. Also, as a result, people from lower SES backgrounds tend to be less aware of current events, laws/policies, and other valuable types of information. These differences result in folks from higher SES backgrounds having more polished communication and literacy skills while folks form lower SES backgrounds are going to struggle with retaining information.
Application: This theory can be applied to community development work because stakeholders should be aware of education attainment rates in the community they are working with to make sure that the language/vocabulary they are using is accessible when doing outreach and work with community members. I think it would also be important to acknowledge the discrepancy between folks from high and low SES backgrounds and create programs as well as opportunities for children to access higher education. Community developers would also be able to work with adults to improve their communication and literacy skills.
Adaptation: This theory can adapted to other disciplines outside of social work or community development because the knowledge gap should be something that concerns any professional that works within the field of social welfare/public interest. It should be a theory that should be seriously considered in the public administration field because it is a systemic and institutional issue that federal and state policies should be addressing. It goes without saying that professionals in the education field (especially teachers) should not be taking this issue lately, which includes working on eliminating the school to prison pipeline.
Source:
https://www.utwente.nl/cw/theorieenoverzicht/Theory%20clusters/Mass%20Media/knowledge_gap/
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