Module 06: Social Action Flashcards
federal agencies
Government organizations that are set up to oversee specific systems at the national level such as education, housing, and criminal justice.
grassroots
Individuals at the ground level of a community group or an organization are brought into key roles in intervention design and planning.
instrumental research
Research used to persuade policymakers to adopt a specific policy.
population
A group of individuals that share a characteristic which is the focus of scientific research.
interdisciplinary collaboration
Scientists from multiple disciplines work together to try to understand complex social and community problems.
prevention
The focus on actions that stop problems before they happen by boosting individual skills as well as by engaging in environmental change.
transformation
Fundamentally changing a community and its structures such that resources and power are more equitably distributed.
burnout
A feeling of overall exhaustion that results from too much pressure and not enough sources of satisfaction or support.
community coalitions
A set of organizations, institutions and community agents that cooperate to improve the living conditions of the community.
Shaping of behavior
A complex set of procedures that results in a change in topography, or the sequence, of behaviors.
second-order change
Involves initiating more structural, long term, and sustainable transformational changes.
Learning Theory
A method of learning that occurs when individuals respond to environmental factors or stimuli.
community organizing
Engaging in actions in a collaborative way with other psychologists, professionals in other disciplines, community members, organizations, and local government.
public policy
The laws, regulations, course of action, and funding priorities issued by the government to address a social issue at the local, state, and national level.
stakeholders
Those who have something to gain or lose from a study.
Operant Conditioning
A method of learning where an individual makes an association between a specific behavior and a consequence.
antecedent
Anything preceding a behavior that signals the likelihood of a consequence if the behavior is performed.
Extinguished
Decreasing undesirable behaviors by stopping the delivery of reinforcers that follow the behavior.
policy evaluation and revision
The last phase of the policy process in which a policy is evaluated to determine whether it successfully addressed a social issue, and whether it can be improved to more effectively address the social issue.
participatory efficacy
The belief that you can effectively participate in community organizations.
effectiveness
Achievement of the results intended by the intervention (it is an indicator that the intervention works properly).
Applied Behavior Analysis
The application of principles of behavioral science to applied problems.
advocacy
Advocacy involves active promotion of a cause or principle involving actions that lead to a selected goal.
policy formation and adoption
The second phase of the policy process in which a policy solution to address a social issue is adopted.
first-order change
Involves minor changes that lead to small, short term improvements by focusing exclusively on the individuals.
political stream
The level of public concern to actually devote time and resources to one of these topics and possible solutions.
collaborative partnership
A reciprocal relationship between two or more people with a shared goal in mind.
policy implementation
The third phase of the policy process in which a specific policy is executed.
empowerment
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.
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).
small wins
Progress that occurs when breaking down a goal into manageable parts.
Stimulus control
The process in which the rules (antecedents) in an environment become associated with consequences, and then make a behavior or group of behaviors more or less likely to happen in the future.
agenda setting
The process by which social problems and the solutions to these problems gain or lose the attention of policymakers or the public.
collective efficacy
The belief that the actions of the group can be successful in creating change.
social justice
Involves the fair distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges that provide equal opportunities for education, healthcare, work, and housing.
Punishment
A consequence associated with a behavior or group of behaviors that decreases the rate or likelihood of the behavior in the future.
Behavioral Analysis
A science of behavior focusing on the relationship between behavior and its consequences, resulting in a greater understanding of the principles of behavior that are observable and replicable.
citizen participation
Assures a higher level of involvement in partnerships involving both community psychologists and community members.
Classical Conditioning
Refers to a procedure of learning in which a stimulus (e.g., food) is paired with a previously neutral stimulus (e.g., a bell) to shape behavior.
policy advocacy
Policy work that is guided by set of principles and that involves the active promotion of these principles (e.g., social justice).
civil servant
Someone employed by the government to work in the public sector to implement policies and laws.
partisanship
The tendency of a member of a political party to strongly support their party’s policies and have a reluctance to compromise with members of other political parties.
policy stream
The potential solutions that can address a social issue and the costs of these solutions.
prevalence
The total number of cases in a population.
policymaking process
A four step cyclical process that illustrates how a policy gains the attention of policymakers, is adopted, implemented, and revised.
Behavioral Community Psychology
The application of the principles of behavioral science to applied problems in community settings.
conceptual research
Research that is used to educate policymakers and stakeholders on social issues and propose possible solutions.
Behavior Modification
A technique used to change the frequency or duration of a behavior.
community readiness
Degree to which the community is prepared for the behavioral and social changes that are intended by the intervention.
B. F. Skinner
An American psychologist known for his influential work in behavioral psychology.
iatrogenic effects
Resulting in unintended consequences.
resource provision
Ensuring a community is provided with a resource it is lacking.
Positive Reinforcement
When something rewarding happens after the onset of a behavior.
top-down approach
An approach to community change that originates with experts, community leaders, and other individuals in power.
medical model
In psychology, the medical model involves a therapist delivering one-on-one psychotherapy to patients. In medicine, it involves physicians providing treatments for one patient at a time.
problem stream
The range of social issues that may affect a given population.
capacity building
A process in which communities or organizations work to improve their collective skills and resources.
bottom-up approach
An approach to community change that originates with community members rather than experts.
coalitions
A set of organizations, institutions and community agents that cooperate to improve the living conditions of the community.
