Key Terms
| Community Psychology | A branch of psychology focused on understanding people within their social, cultural, economic, and environmental contexts, aiming for collective well-being. |
| Ecological Systems | The interconnected layers of environment—family, community, society—that influence individuals’ development and well-being. |
| Empowerment | Increasing individuals’ and communities’ control over their lives, encouraging participation and agency, especially for marginalized groups. |
| Social Justice | Promoting fair access to resources, rights, and opportunities by challenging systems of oppression and inequality. |
| Prevention | Emphasizing proactive support and interventions to stop problems before they start, rather than only treating issues after they arise. |
What is community psychology?
A branch of psychology looking at how people influence and shape their broader social, cultural, economic and environmental contexts.
- Emphasis on collective wellbeing
- Advocates for Systemic Change
- Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems model
History of Community Psychology
1965, Swampscott Conference
- Formal recognition of community psychology
1970s, Ecological Principles
- James Kelly + Urie Bronfenrenner introduce ecological thinking
- Emphasises need to understand people within their broader contexts
1974, Sense of Community
- Seymour Sarason introduces concept of community belonging as essential to mental health
1980s, Empowerment Theory
- Julian Rappaport advocates for the active participation of marginalised communities to address social issues
2000s- 2020s, Intersectionality & Global Expansion
- Community psychology expands to address systemic oppression and wider issues
- More open to diverse global perspectives
Core Values of Community Psychology
- Ecological Perspective
- Empowerment
- Collaboration
- Social Justice
- Prevention & Promotion
Community vs Traditional Psychology
| Community | Traditional |
| Focus on understanding people within their social, cultural and environmental systems. Values collective wellbeing. Seeks to address root causes of social issues by focusing on systems & community strengths. | Focus on diagnosing & treating mental health at an individual level. Uses deficit models in clinical settings. Emphasis on symptom reduction for personal change. Overlooks broader context. Prioritises professional expertise over community involvement. |
Research Methodologies
Key Terms
| Participatory Research | Research approach where community members are actively involved in all stages, ensuring their voices shape the process and outcomes. |
| Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) | A collaborative research method where researchers and community members are equal partners, co-designing and co-leading projects for shared benefit. |
| Participatory Action Research (PAR) | A cyclical research process that involves planning, action, and reflection, with community members and researchers working together to solve real-world problems. |
| Qualitative Methods | Research approaches like interviews and focus groups that explore people’s lived experiences and perspectives in depth. |
| Mixed Methods | Combining qualitative and quantitative research to gain both detailed insights and broader patterns, strengthening the overall findings. |
Core Principles of Community Psychology Research
Empowerment & Participation
- Research done WITH communities not ON them
Collaboration & Co-Design
- Community members & researchers are equal partners
- Empowers people
Context sensivity
- Method & questions adapted to fit each unique community
- Research should reflect the cultural context of people
Action & Social Change
- Research should be used to promote social change
Mixed Methods & Flexibility
- Use both quantitative & qualitative methods to capture the depth of human experiences
Steps in a PAR
- Building relationships
- Co-designing RQs
- Collaborative data collection
- Joint Data Analysis
- Action & Reflection
Real life examples of community psych research
Evaluating a Peer Mentoring Program
- Participatory evaluation with youth leaders helped improved programs
- People felt more comfortable sharing feedback to peers
Community Safety Surveys
- Researchers worked with residents to make surveys measuring perceptions of safety before & after community policing initiative
Anti-Bullying Initiatives in Schools
- Action research cycles used to refine anti-bullying programs in schools
- Led to more effective interventions & greater buy-in
Community- Based Mental Health Care
- Collaborative research highlighted the importance of belonging, trust & cultural safety
| Advantages | Challenges |
| – Empowers marginalised voices – Produces contextually relevant solutions – Builds community trust – Sustainable | – Time & Resource intensive – Must navigate power dynamics carefully – Balancing diverse perspectives – Institutional barriers |
Belonging, Community & Wellbeing
Key Terms
| Belonging | Feeling accepted, valued, and connected within a group or community. |
| Psychological Sense of Community (PSC) | The emotional experience of being part of a supportive group that meets individual and collective needs. |
| Protective Factor | A condition or quality that increases resilience and helps buffer against risks or negative outcomes. |
| Inclusivity | Creating environments where everyone feels welcome, respected, and valued for their unique contributions. |
The Four Elements of Psychological Sense of Community (McMillan & Chavis, 1986)
Membership
- Being part of a group with clear boundaries
Influence
- Believing you matter to the group & your voice is heard
Integration & Fulfilment of Needs
- Being part of the group meets your goals & supports wellbeing
Shared Emotional Connection
- Having a sense of shared experiences and emotional ties with others in the group
Belonging
Belonging as a protective factor
- Belonging protects against stress, anxiety, depression
- Results in higher self esteem
- Better life satisfaction
- Fosters resilience
Inclusive Contexts
- Inclusive environments = welcome & value all members
- Cultural safety
- Open participation
- Celebration of diversity
Barriers for Marginalised Groups
- Racism
- Ableism
- Colonialism
- Power imbalances
Protective Environments
- Inclusive environments that protect people from discrimination
Social Justice & Power
Key Terms
| Social Justice | The pursuit of fairness and equity in society, especially for marginalized groups. |
| Empowerment | Supporting individuals and communities to gain control and agency. |
| Power | The ability to influence people, resources, and systems at multiple levels. |
| Reflexivity | Ongoing self-examination of one’s own perspective and how it shapes what you notice and how you act. |
| Decolonization | Challenging colonial legacies and centering Indigenous perspectives in practice and research. |
Social Justice in Community Psychology
Amplifying Marginalised Voices
- Focusing on those most affected by injustice
- Use participatory methods & co-creation
Equity Over Equality
- Recognising that different groups need different resources to thrive
- Tailoring solutions to the unique circumstances & histories of communities
- Prioritising cultural relevance
Ethical Engagement
- Community psychologists should actively engage with injustice & not be neutral
Empowerment for Social Change
- Building skills, knowledge & confidence of communities
- Supporting self-determination & advocacy
Types of Power
| Structural | Laws, policies, funding, institutions. Impacts access to resources. |
| Cultural | Social norms, language, media, shared values. Influences stereotyping/ inclusivity. |
| Personal | Individual confidence, knowledge, lived experience, advocacy skills. Influences empowerment and participation in community life. |
| Redistributing Power | Social justice tries to shift power from dominant groups to the marginalised. |
Neutrality vs Ethical Engagement
What’s wrong with neutrality?
- Reinforces the status quo
- Permits harm
- Benefits those in power
Justice Doing?
- Aligning one’s actions with justice & compassion
- Actively trying to fight injustice
Taking a Stand
- Practitioners should use their position to advocate for change
- Challenge policies
- Support marginalised voices
Solidarity & Collective Action
- Justice work is most effective when done collectively
- Create collaborative relationships with communities
- Work alongside others, not just for them
Reynold’s 6 Guiding Intentions for Justice Doing
- Centering Ethics
- Doing solidarity
- Naming Power
- Foster Collective Sustainability
- Critically engaging with language
- Structuring safety
Decolonisation in Practice
- Returning land to Indigenous communities
- Language revitalisation in schools
- Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) model
- Developed by and for Indigenous communities
- Emphasis on holistic health, connection to land, culture & ancestry
- Move away from pathologizing Indigenous people
- Take a strengths based approach
- Co-leadership with Indigenous people
- Create safe spaces & reclaim narratives
Intersectionality & Trauma-Informed Practice
Key Terms
| Intersectionality | A framework for understanding how multiple identities—like race, gender, and class—overlap to shape experiences of privilege and oppression. |
| Systems of Oppression | Social structures such as racism, sexism, ableism, and colonialism that create barriers and inequities for certain groups. |
| Privilege | Unearned advantages or power that individuals receive because of their identity within societal systems. |
| Trauma Informed Practice | Approaches that recognize the impact of trauma and prioritize safety, empowerment, and cultural responsiveness in care. |
| Culturally Responsive Care | Services that respect and adapt to the cultural identities and needs of individuals and communities for more effective support. |
What is Intersectionality?
A theory that helps us understand how people’s multiple identities interact to shape their experiences of discrimination, privilege & mental health.
Sees race, gender, class as interwoven.
Key Concepts of Intersectionality
Multiple Identities
- People are made up of a combination of interacting identities
- Race, gender, class, sexuality, ability
Systems of Oppression & Privilege
- Racism, sexism, classism, ableism
- Systemic oppression interacts, compounds
- Creates unique experiences of discrimination or privilege
Context Matters
- The impact of intersecting identities depends on social, historical & cultural context
- Oppression changes by context
Beyond Single-Axis Thinking
- Challenges simplistic views of identity
- Encourages holisitic view
- Avoid assumptions
- Be curious about people’s stories
Trauma Informed Practice
What is trauma informed practice?
An approach recognising the widespread impact of trauma in order to create safe spaces.
Core Principles
Understanding the whole person
- Recognise that people have have diverse experiences of trauma
- Avoid making assumptions based on symptoms
Recognising Systemic Trauma
- Be aware of systemic factors of oppression that could cause trauma
Avoiding Re-traumatisation
- Respond to individual needs for safety, choice & empowerment
- Avoid further harming
Culturally Responsive Care
- Recognise that culture interacts with other identities to influence experiences of trauma & healing
Steps for TIP
- Identify Intersecting Identities
- Recognise systemic barriers
- Ensure safety & empowerment
- Adapt Care to Context
- Reflect & be Accountable
