19. LOOKING INTO YOUR FUTURE

Question 1

concentrations

Answer 1

A set of courses within a larger degree program that enables you to specialize in a discipline such as Community Psychology.

Question 2

practicum/fieldwork/internship experience

Answer 2

A key component of undergraduate and graduate Community Psychology programs that involves supervised, hands-on learning through work in a community setting that is also helpful to that setting.

Question 3

evaluation

Answer 3

The use of different research methods to understand person-environment interactions and also determine whether community interventions have been successful.

Question 4

interdisciplinary programs

Answer 4

Programs that involve utilizing more than one academic approach to study and knowledge acquisition.

Question 5

theory-practice integration

Answer 5

Education style used predominantly in graduate level training, incorporating both theory and concepts pertaining to a subject, as well as getting hands-on training in the field.

Question 6

clinical-community psychology

Answer 6

A type of doctoral program that provides students both clinical training, such as psychopathology, therapy, and assessment, as well as Community Psychology skills, such as consultation, evaluation, and community intervention.

Question 7

community social psychology

Answer 7

Some Community Psychology programs are embedded within a larger frame of social psychology, the study of how individuals are influenced by others.

Question 8

Graduate Record Exam (GRE)

Answer 8

The Graduate Record Examination is a standardized test that is an entry prerequisite for the majority of graduate schools and universities in the United States.

Question 9

social justice

Answer 9

Involves the fair distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges that provide equal opportunities for education, healthcare, work, and housing.

Question 10

Society for Community Research and Action (SCRA)

Answer 10

SCRA is the official organization of Community Psychology in the United States, yet it also supports global connections and goals, with about 20% of its membership international.

Question 11

empowerment

Answer 11

The process of gaining power emerging at the individual, organizational, community, and societal levels, which are affected by peoples’ previous experiences, skills, actions, and context.

Question 12

ethical and reflective practice

Answer 12

Engaging in thinking and reflecting upon community work to ensure it is efficient, productive, and ethical from a moral and science-based framework.

Question 13

implementation

Answer 13

Sequence of actions that goes from the planned on paper to actions in natural community contexts. Good implementation depends on the skills of the community psychologists involved and the degree of community readiness.

Question 14

quantitative

Answer 14

Methods involving collecting data in the form of numbers using standardized measures in an attempt to produce generalizable findings.

Question 15

qualitative

Answer 15

Methods involving collecting data that typically consists of words that provide comprehensive descriptions of participants’ experiences.

Question 16

diversity

Answer 16

Acknowledgment, acceptance, and respect for the full range of human characteristics in their social, historical, and cultural contexts.

Question 17

professional development

Answer 17

A way to stay current and grow your knowledge and skills, network, and establish and grow connections with colleagues in your field. This can be done through attendance of conferences, webinars, and workshops.

Question 18

continuing education opportunities

Answer 18

Advanced education programs, courses, webinars, workshops, or conferences that provide additional training in particular Community Psychology-related issues or skill sets.

Question 19

Community Tool Box

Answer 19

An online resource that provides detailed guides on how to work with organizations and communities to engage in social action, including information on assessing community needs and strengths, creating a model of change, designing plans, interventions, and applying for grants.

Question 20

elevator speech

Answer 20

A short summary (about 2 minutes) that you share with anyone who asks about your work, interests, and/or the field of Community Psychology.

Question 21

prevention

Answer 21

The focus on actions that stop problems before they happen by boosting individual skills as well as by engaging in environmental change.