Overview
This lecture introduces community psychology, its origins, core values, theoretical frameworks, and key concepts, emphasizing the shift from individual to community-level approaches in promoting well-being and social justice.
Definition and Elements of Community Psychology
- Community psychology integrates social, cultural, economic, political, and environmental factors to promote positive change and empowerment beyond the individual.
- It considers how societal and community factors influence individual health and well-being.
- Four elements of sense of community: membership (belonging), influence (ability to affect others), integration (shared fulfillment of needs), and emotional connection (feelings tied to the group).
Origins and Influences
- Emerged in the 1960s-70s amid social movements (feminism, civil rights).
- Driven by preventive perspectives, mental health reforms, action research, social movements, and optimism for solving social problems.
- Recognizes that problems of health and well-being are often systemic, not just individual.
Core Values of Community Psychology
- Seven core values: individual/family wellness, sense of community, respect for diversity, social justice, empowerment/citizen participation, collaboration/community strengths, and empirical grounding (evidence-based practice).
- Social justice seeks equal opportunities in education, healthcare, work, and housing for all.
Theoretical Framework: Ecological Perspective
- The ecological perspective (Bronfenbrenner) examines the interaction between individuals and various levels of their environment: micro (family, peers), exo (social networks), and macro (culture, laws).
- Behavior is shaped by societal reinforcements and punishments.
- Effective interventions must consider cultural language, metaphors, values, and local contexts.
Key Concepts and Practices
- Critical reflection and collective efficacy empower communities to pursue shared goals.
- Intersectionality acknowledges overlapping vulnerabilities (race, gender, class, etc.) that shape power and privilege.
- Empowerment restores control and participation to marginalized groups at individual and community levels.
- Community psychologists value cultural humility, collaboration, and view community members as experts.
Approaches and Examples
- Top-down approaches are less effective than bottom-up approaches, which involve communities in identifying needs and solutions.
- Evidence-based practice and interdisciplinary collaboration are essential.
- Case studies (e.g., Portugal’s mental health reform) illustrate empowerment, social justice, and systemic change.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Community Psychology — field focusing on societal, cultural, and environmental influences on individual and collective well-being.
- Sense of Community — feeling of belonging, influence, integration, and emotional connection within a group.
- Ecological Perspective — framework analyzing how multiple system levels affect behavior and outcomes.
- Collective Efficacy — group’s shared belief in its ability to achieve goals together.
- Intersectionality — overlapping identities and vulnerabilities that influence power and privilege.
- Empowerment — process of gaining greater control over one’s life and resources.
- Cultural Humility — willingness to learn from and respect other cultures’ perspectives and traditions.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Summarize community psychology using at least three keywords via the separate link provided by the instructor.
- Prepare your lecture notes for review before the midterm.
- Reserve questions for face-to-face meetings or type them for the instructor.