what are the principles of community psychology?

Question

What are the themes and issues of community psychology

Answer 1

Community Psychology would seem to me to be a subset of Social Psychology, and would therefore also have close relations with Sociology.

Generally speaking, the principles of Social Psychology are going to be the same as Community Psychology, with the difference being the size of the social group. Wikipedia has more:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_psychology

Cheers!

Answer 2

As I understand it community psychology looks at the sociocultural context of a behavioral problem or mental illness. Symptoms do not occur out of that context and addressing them must include how the environment interacts with and possibly causes those problems. Because of this, community psychologists often work at the environmental level- in the schools, in religious centers, in community gathering places to effect change. Community psychologists also work to empower people to make changes in their own lives. Community psychologists also look at how to prevent problems before they start (prevention) or early in their development (early intervention) as well as when there is a well developed problem. Community psychologists also recognize that with different problems there may be identified protective factors (increased self esteem, community involvement, sense of meaning) that they can build upon and work to reduce risk factors (lowered self esteem, chaotic family structure, isolation, lack of meaning).

Answer 3

The previous answer is wrong. Social psychology deals with issues we are exposed to in our lives and and how society influences our behaviour to a certain extent and the role it plays in mental health too. Community psychology on the other hand deals mainly with the interactions of individual at different levels, issues that affect communities and their wellbeing, as well as intervention and therapy at the community level. For instance, humans interact firstly within the family, then broader family and close friends, then the community we find oursleves in. We portray a different 'appearance' at this level and behave differently too. We are in turn influenced by those in our community. Community issues may deal with issues such as HIV/AIDS within our community and youth, for example, and what support systems, facilities and intervention can be put in place to deal with the problem. This is one example of a problem, obviously different communities have different problems. Community psychology aims at enabling the members of the community with the ability to tackle their problems and empowering them to find solutions to these issues. It involves assistance by a professional at first who will assist the members in achieving the empowerment they need.

Answer 4

I was excited to see your question! See my profile! Are you planning to go into community psychology? :)

Community psychology focuses on "treatment" of the community rather than the individual. They look at factors that affect the community, and research prevention, intervention and treatment issues. This can include poverty, child welfare issues, homelessness etc. etc.

Answer 5

The first answer is head on, and the second is just repeating the same in a different way. No reason to state it is wrong.

Answer 6

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