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COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY:
BUILDING FOUNDATIONS SUMMARY (2022)
,Theme 1
History and schools of community psychology
There are different world views and concepts on community psychology:
1. Mainstream Modern Psychology
Western way of viewing reality
Psychology seen as objective and universal science
Scientific and fact based
Idea: psychologist is expert
Disregards other cultural perspectives, knowledge, ideas, values,
practices, role of discourses and languages
Exclusively based on worldview of members of white middle class
2. The bio-medical model
Focuses on individual as unit of analysis
Emphasizes role of biological factors in influencing behaviour
Psychological changes viewed as brain diseases
Focuses on cure
Individual’s mental/ psychological illness interpreted underlying
biological cause (Pharmalogical treatment)
3. African psychology
Organises world in hierarchy of beings
Ancestors play important role
Universe = organic and ecological
Little distinction between nature and culture
Causality linked to life forces
Knowledge gained through participating and connecting (observer part
of system and has big influence)
Individuals and communities seen as interdependent
4. Critical approach to psychology
Community psychology concerned with social change that incorporates
radical psychology of liberation
Interested in values and meaning and how they influence knowledge
Focuses on “lived” experiences
Challenges view that communities have no influence/effect on
“realities” regarding traditional psychology
It questions mainstream psychology and science as value free
Promotes middle class white male in society
Aim: make psychology less oppressive and more available to
community
, 5. Critical African perspectives on psychology
Focuses on indigenisation of psychology- takes into account
languages, philosophies and worldview
Existence is concrete and particular
Looks into how cultural traditions and social practices regulate, express
and transform human psyche
The self = collectivistic and interdependent
Criticizes acculturation and marginalisation of African and other
systems
Aim: address needs of society
Components of worldview: time, nature, human activity, relational
connections
The concept of community
South African context = community interpreted ito race differences
Community = political term
= refer to social groups we feel we belong
= usually positive connotations
Concept of community differ due to worldviews and cultures
Western understanding of community = group of people spatially
connected, share common interests, concerns, identities (local/
national / international)
African sees community = 3 dimensional
1st dimension: visible community living here and now
2nd dimension: departed eg ancestors
3rd dimension: yet to be born
Defining community psychology
There is no single definition – would be insufficient
Community psychology = interdisciplinary
Community psychology is study of people in context (Nelson & Prillelteneky)
“The critical study of people in contexts directed towards the common aim of
improving community conditions and promoting psychological wellbeing.”
It focuses on local
Universal claims tend to impose themselves onto other’s worldviews/
experience/ conditions/ contexts.
Universal claims irrelevant to local populations.
Solutions need to be relevant to local contexts – use developments in other
parts of the world as starting point.
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