Assignment

Community Psychology

Submitted to: Sara Subhan

Submitted by: Aqsa

Student ID: F2019381102

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Department of Clinical Psychology

School of Professional Psychology

University of Management and Technology

Lahore

2023
 Community Psychology

Community psychology is a field of psychology that focuses on understanding the

social, cultural, economic, and political factors that affect the well-being of individuals

and communities. It emphasizes the importance of collaboration between psychologists

and community members to solve social problems and promote positive change.

Community psychologists seek to improve the quality of life of individuals and

communities by studying and addressing social issues such as poverty, discrimination,

and injustice. They often collaborate with community organizations, policymakers, and

other professionals to develop and implement interventions that promote social justice,

community empowerment, and community well-being.

Community psychologists can work in a variety of settings, such as community

mental health centers, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and universities.

Some of the main methods used in community psychology include participatory action

research, program evaluation, and community interventions.

History of Community Psychology

Community psychology emerged in 1960s and kept evolving until this day and

tried to provide solutions for making a better society. Following is the history of

community psychology as per the decades:

Ist Decade (1960-1970)

The first decade of community psychology (1960s) was marked by the emergence

of new fields of study that challenged traditional psychological approaches. Community

psychology grew out of the realization that traditional psychology failed to adequately

address many social issues facing communities, such as poverty, discrimination, and
mental health issues. Key figures in the development of community psychology during

this period included Seymour Sarason, James Kelly, Murray Levine and Julian

Rappaport.

During this period, community psychologists began to develop new methods and

approaches to studying and solving social problems, including participatory research,

community-based interventions, and prevention and early intervention strategies. They

also stressed the importance of working with community members and community

organizations in all aspects of their work. The emergence of community psychology in

the 1960s was influenced by many different social movements, including the civil rights

movement, the women's movement, and the anti-war movement. Many community

psychologists are deeply committed to social justice and see their work as a way to

challenge social inequalities and promote greater equality and inclusion in society.

Despite the initial skepticism of the mainstream psychology community,

community psychology began to gain recognition and acceptance during this period,

setting the stage for further growth and development in the decades to come.

2nd Decade (1970-1980)

The second decade of community psychology (1970s) was marked by the

founding of the Association for Community Research and Action (SCRA), the first

organization dedicated to advancing the field. The SCRA held its first meeting in 1974,

which helped cement the identity of the field and establish its key principles and values.

During this period, community psychology continued to grow, with an increasing focus

on issues of social justice, diversity, and community empowerment. Many community

psychologists have begun to work more closely with communities and community
organizations, using methods such as participatory action research and community-based

interventions to address social issues and promote positive change.

During this period, the concept of "empowerment" became central in community

psychology and community psychologists advocated the importance of providing people

with the tools and resources they needed to take control of their own lives and their

communities. During the 1970s, community psychology also began to engage more

closely with other fields and disciplines, including sociology, anthropology, and public

health. This interdisciplinary approach helps broaden the scope of community

psychology and brings new perspectives and approaches to social issues.

3rd Decade (1980-1990)

The third decade of community psychology (1980s) was marked by many

important developments in the field, including growing attention to the role of culture and

diversity in community psychology research and practice. Community psychologists have

begun to realize that different cultural groups may have unique experiences and

perspectives on social issues and that these differences need to be taken into account in

order to develop effective interventions. During this period, community psychology also

began to explore new areas of study, including the study of violence and trauma, the

impact of social policy on communities, and the role of spirituality and religion in

people's lives.

Community psychologists also continue to refine and develop their methods and

approaches, increasingly emphasizing the importance of community collaboration,

participation, and empowerment. During the 1980s, community psychology also became

more closely involved in the broader social justice movement, with many community
psychologists advocating policy and systemic changes to address social inequality and

promote greater equality and inclusion.

This period also saw the emergence of new forms of community activism and

advocacy, such as the anti-apartheid movement and the environmental justice movement,

which helped to promote awareness on the ground of the complex interplay between

social, economic and environmental factors in community well-being.

4th Decade (1990-2000)

The fourth decade (1990s) of community psychology was marked by many

important developments in the field, including a growing emphasis on the importance of

globalization and the role of technology in shaping community life. Community

psychologists have begun to realize that the increasingly connected world has significant

implications for social issues and community well-being, and that new forms of

technology and communication can be harnessed to foster positive change.

During this period, community psychology also continued to explore new areas of

research and practice, with an increasing emphasis on issues of health promotion,

engagement research community and the impact of social policy on communities. Several

major books were published during this decade that helped shape the field's

understanding of these issues, including "Promoting Health in a Stressful World" by

Isaac Prilleltensky and Geoffrey Nelson, John Moritsugu, Elizabeth Vera, and

"Community Psychology and Social Change" by Rochelle F Hanson, and Robert M. Huff

and Michael V.Klein.

The 1990s also saw new approaches and approaches to community psychology,

such as ecosystem theory, social network analysis, and participatory mapping.

Fifth Decade till Present

The fifth decade (2000s) and beyond of community psychology has been

characterized by increasingly recognizing the importance of understanding the cultural

and social contexts in which communities exist and work to develop more sensitive and

culturally appropriate interventions. During this period, community psychology

continued to explore new areas of research and practice, including research on resilience,

positive youth development, and research on community engagement. Several major

works published during this period helped shape the field's understanding of these issues,

including the Handbook of Community Psychology by Julian Rappaport and Edward

Seidman, and Positive Youth Development and Spirituality: From Theoretical to

Research by Eugene C. Roehlkepartain, Pamela Albertin King, Linda Wagner, and Pierre

L.Benson.

In recent years, community psychology has also increasingly turned its attention

to global issues such as climate change, migration and economic inequality, recognizing

the importance of addressing these challenges locally and globally. Community

psychologists are also more involved in advocacy and policy work, and work to promote

social justice and greater equality and inclusion. Overall, the fifth decade of community

psychology and beyond has been characterized by continued growth and evolution, as

community psychologists explore new areas of research and practice and deepen their

commitment to justice social and community empowerment.

Community Psychology: An Interdisciplinary Approach

A defining feature of Community Psychology is its interdisciplinary approach to

understanding and solving social problems. Community psychology draws on knowledge

from a variety of fields, including psychology, sociology, public health, anthropology,

and social work to gain a comprehensive understanding of the complex issues faced by

individuals and communities.

An interdisciplinary approach allows community psychologists to explore the

many factors that affect the well-being of individuals and communities, including

cultural, social, economic, and environmental factors. By bringing together diverse

perspectives and approaches, community psychologists are able to develop a more

nuanced understanding of social problems and identify innovative and effective solutions.

For example, community psychologists working on projects addressing food insecurity in

low-income communities can use insights from nutritional science, sociology, economics,

and public health to develop a comprehensive understanding of which contributes to food

insecurity in this community. Working with community members and stakeholders,

psychologists develop tailored interventions to meet the unique needs and challenges of

communities, using a range of disciplines and methodologies to achieve desired

outcomes.

An interdisciplinary approach also enables community psychologists to bridge

the gap between research and practice by using evidence-based methods to develop

interventions that are both effective and culturally sensitive. By working with community

members and stakeholders, community psychologists can ensure that interventions are

grounded in the lived experience of the community and address the unique challenges

each community faces. In general, an interdisciplinary approach to community

psychology leads to a more comprehensive understanding of social issues and a more

effective response to the complex challenges faced by individuals and communities.

 Today, community psychology is a thriving field with a wide range of

applications and areas of focus. Community psychologists work in a variety of settings,

including community mental health centers, government agencies, non-profit

organizations, and universities. They use a variety of methods and approaches to promote

community well-being and social justice, and they continue to play an important role in

addressing the social problems facing many communities around the world.
References:

Toro, P. A. (2019, June 21). History. Press.rebus.community.

https://press.rebus.community/introductiontocommunitypsychology/chapter/history-of-

community-psychology/