Consensus of locality names within the metropolis ( Seattle).

Focuses on the degree to which urban residents accept common names for local areas in the metropolis which have no official political recognition. It is based on interviews with 1642 residents of 20 different geographic areas in the Seattle metropolitan region. The degree of consensus on locality names is shown to be influenced significantly by the methodological procedures employed. Multiple names are often used for areas, but specific names within each area are mentioned in very high proportions. Nevertheless, individuals in some parts of the region exhibit greater agreement on names than those in other parts. Aggregate variations in this pattern across areas are shown to be heavily a function of the physical environment and the social status levels of the areas. -Authors