Module 02: Theory, Research, & Practice Flashcards
intervention
Prevention or promotion programs that aim to promote behavioral change in defined community contexts to address social problems.
post-test
A test designed to gauge participants’ scores after an intervention.
research design
A collection of decisions a researcher(s) makes tailored to what is being studied.
reliable
The degree to which a study produces results that prove to be consistent, no matter who is conducting the research.
control group
A design decision that dictates whether or not there is a control group (a group that is used for a baseline without intervention and to compare with the group of participants with the intervention).
community-based participatory research
Research that involves an exchange of resources and ideas between researchers and the community members as a way of understanding that is guided by community needs, also known as “participatory action research.”
pre-test
A test designed to gauge participants’ baseline scores.
meta-analysis
A method for statistically summarizing the findings of multiple studies to quantify an average effect and identify possible predictors of variability of outcomes.
populations
A group of individuals that share a characteristic which is the focus of scientific research.
interdependence
Because everything is connected, changing one aspect of an environment will have many ripple effects.
replicable
The ability to replicate a study’s findings.
advocacy
Advocacy involves active promotion of a cause or principle involving actions that lead to a selected goal.
empowerment theory
Originally described by Julian Rappaport (1981), empowerment refers to the capacity for individual growth, self-determination and autonomy through the prescribed use and access of community resources.
respect for persons
A research ethics principle that states children, prisoners, and pregnant individuals are considered vulnerable populations, and they require special protections when involved in research.
prevention
The focus on actions that stop problems before they happen by boosting individual skills as well as by engaging in environmental change.
participants
A pool of people that are volunteering or being paid to participate in a study.
**implementation
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.
**expertise
The level of competence whereby community psychology practitioners have developed further experience and continuing education in a competency to the extent that they are able to teach and supervise others (Dalton & Wolfe, 2012).
**experience
The level of competence whereby students or CP practitioners have engaged in supervised practice, in performing the tasks related to the competency (Dalton & Wolfe, 2012).
praxis
A repetitive process of turning a theory, lesson, or skill into an actualized action.
exposure
The level of competence whereby students or community psychology practitioners have become aware of the competency, understand its value, and know how it can be applied in community psychology practice (Dalton & Wolfe, 2012).
**SCRA
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.
adaptation
Focuses on interactions between persons and their environments to better understand why behavior that is effective in one setting may not be useful in others.
**Community Psychology
A field that goes beyond an individual focus and integrates social, cultural, economic, political, environmental, and international influences to promote positive change, health, and empowerment at individual and systemic levels (SCRA27.org).
succession
Refers to the fact that communities are in a constant process of change, and this process causes changing requirements for adaptation.
beneficence
A research ethics principle that requires that researchers do no harm and maximize possible benefits, and they can do this by finding less risky methods to achieve research goals.
ecological perspective
Understanding the relationships between people and their social environments (e.g., families, groups, communities, and societies).
**empower
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.
mixed methods research
Thoughtful combining of qualitative and quantitative data collection methods.
justice
A research ethics principle that indicates research should have similar benefits, risks and burdens to all populations.
evaluation
The use of different research methods to understand person-environment interactions and also determine whether community interventions have been successful.
behavior setting theory
Natural or developed ecological environments where behaviors evolve over time. A process by which different types of settings can be expected to influence the behaviors of people within a variety of different types of situations.
**prevent
The focus on actions that stop problems before they happen by boosting individual skills as well as by engaging in environmental change.
dissemination
The deliberate sharing of research findings to groups and communities that would benefit from said findings.
qualitative methods
Methods involving collecting data that typically consists of words that provide comprehensive descriptions of participants’ experiences.
social climate theory
Understand how people adapt to their social contexts, how they survive traumatizing contexts, and how contexts adapt to persons within that context; addressing the power and fragility of social settings.
social network
A method for identifying how relationships may influence attitudes and behaviors.
sense of community
An individual’s perception of similarity to others, giving to others what one expects from them, and the feeling that one is part of a larger dependable and stable group.
Society for Community Research and Action (SCRA)
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.
mentoring
The ability to assist community members to identify personal strengths and social and structural resources they can develop further and use to enhance empowerment, community engagement, and leadership.
cycling of resources
The systematic process of using and developing materials and resources that impact community growth and development.
stakeholders
Those who have something to gain or lose from a study.
evidence-based
An approach to intervention based on research that systematically demonstrates its effectiveness.
**Community Psychology practice competencies
Having the required skills to effectively engage in community psychology practice.
random assignment
A design decision that involves the random assignment of participants into either an experimental group or a control group.
quantitative methods
Methods involving collecting data in the form of numbers using standardized measures in an attempt to produce generalizable findings.
