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Community psychology

Community psychology is a branch of psychology that deals with the integration of social, cultural, economic, political, environmental and global influences to promote positive changes in the mental health of the individual and the system. This psychological branch emphasizes underlying social problems and not individual problems. It is responsible for understanding and improving the quality of life of individuals and communities through collaborative action and research.

Community psychology positions

After the Second World War, psychology began to stop being individualistic and various branches developed that deal with the individual and their environment simultaneously; These branches arose because of the interest of psychologists in social problems, such as discrimination, which is carried out by prejudices of social classes, racial and religious prejudices. One of the most significant branches that works combining techniques of experimental psychology with those of social psychology to achieve the well-being of the community, is community psychology.

When defining what has come to be called community psychology, we find two positions in tension. One of these positions proclaims community psychology as an autonomous discipline , with an epistemological and theoretical-technical framework and with its own method. One of the greatest exponents of this position is Maritza Montero with her theoretical – technical developments in research – action – participant.

From the other position, it is said that community psychology is a form of professional practice for the psychologist , where fundamental emphasis is placed on intervention, on doing and on strategies rather than on what has to do with the theoretical-epistemological field . In this sense, the exercise of community psychology is supported by a heterogeneous field of psychological theories, shared by other ways of doing psychology.

But beyond these two issues in tension, what must be taken into account when talking about community psychology is its approach . In other words, it does not matter the profile of the population – individuals, groups, communities, families -, nor the environment – hospitals, polyclinics, neighborhoods, schools – when practicing in and from community psychology, but rather what It is defined by the approach used, which is supported by epistemological bases of community psychology.

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Role of the community psychologist

Community psychologists can serve in a variety of areas to promote community mental health and well-being, including: education, program management, policy developers, research in community organizations, social assessments.

A community psychologist not only focuses on individual psychological makeup , but uses multiple levels of analysis, from individual and group , to specific programs, different entities, and finally, entire communities.

What is intended with community psychology?

With community psychology it is intended:

  • Promote mental health and well-being in the community with new forms of therapy that go beyond traditional psychotherapy
  • Use experimental psychology to obtain more accurate data and to understand the influences of the social environment on mental health.
  • Provide forms of immediate and appropriate intervention when and where they are most needed.
  • Finding the relationship between social systems and individual well-being in the context of the community.
  • Carry out collaboration groups with community members and some organizations, to cooperate and solve certain social problems that affect the community.
  • Provide therapeutic support and tools that help entities obtain capacities to address social problems such as violence and exploitation.
  • Work together to reduce social inequalities and discrimination.

Unlike other branches of psychology, community psychology emphasizes the strengths of the community and of people, rather than highlighting their weaknesses and pathologies.

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Hello Readers, I am Nikki Bella a Psychology student. I have always been concerned about human behavior and the mental processes that lead us to act and think the way we do. My collaboration as an editor in the psychology area of ​​Well Being Pole has allowed me to investigate further and expand my knowledge in the field of mental health; I have also acquired great knowledge about physical health and well-being, two fundamental bases that are directly related and are part of all mental health.

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