Week 11 - Community Psychology Flashcards
What is community psychology?
Psychology that seeks to understand human behaviour within the multiple ecological, historical, cultural and sociopolitical contexts in which individuals interact
Community Psychology’s Intervention focus
‘second order change’ - changing the systems and structure to improve the person’s environment rather than changing the person
What do Community Psychologists do?
Work to promote the wellness of whole communities by using a scientific foundation to understand the influences of social environment on health and wellness
Levels of Intervention
- Prevention
- Social Justice
- Ecological Approach
Prevention - First order change
Focus is on individual not environment and does not address root cause of problem
Prevention - Second order change
Action at environment or structural level, affects broader community, changes prevents problem occurring in the future
Example of First Order and Second Order Change
First order: Lifeguard saving child who falls in pool
Second order: Installing rails/fences to prevent child falling
Ecological Systems Framework
Microsystem
Relationships with direct impact on individual e.g. parent-child, university peers, family dynamics
Organisations
The contexts in which these relationships take place e.g. schools, university, workplace
Localities
The geographical context of these organisations which has social economic, resources access implications e.g. rural, urban, town or city
Macrosystem
The cultural, political, and social factors that shape your experience through their influence on these interrelated systems.
Sense of Community Theory
The feeling one is a part of a larger dependable and stable structure
4 key dimensions to the development of a sense of community
- Membership
- Influence
- Integration and fulfilment of needs
- Shared emotional connection
How do community psychologist work to develop a sense of community
By working with the broader community to enhance the inclusion of marginalised groups within that community
