What is Community Psychology?
Social justice. Action-oriented research. Global in nature. Influencing public policy. Working for empowerment. Multidisciplinary in focus. Celebrating culture. Preventing harm. Behavior in context. Social action. Supporting community strengths. Reducing oppression. Promoting well-being. Scientific inquiry. Honoring human rights. Respecting diversity.
Community psychology 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.
Featured Research
How to Move Policy on Human Trafficking
Posted in: Marginalized Groups, Public Policy | Tags: Featured ResearchPublished in: American Journal of Community PsychologyProposed human trafficking laws may be most successful in using research to guide the use of trauma-informed practice.
Mental Well-Being in Men of Color
Posted in: Marginalized Groups, Mental Health | Tags: Featured Research, ResearchPublished in: Global Journal of Community Psychology PracticeWe can use lived experience to generate strategies to enhance the mental health and well-being of men of color.
Asset Mapping: Why to Ask Why
Posted in: Coalition Building | Tags: Featured Research, ResearchSusan Jakes suggests the “why” we value certain assets in our community might be very different for the community members than for the professionals that come to help.
Kids Need More from School? Utilize Assistant Teachers!
Posted in: Children, Youth and Families, Education | Tags: Featured ResearchPublished in: American Journal of Community PsychologyCommunities across the United States are expanding early childhood education with the goal of promoting children’s development. Read more on how to improve ECE.
More than Filling Empty Bellies: How Food Banks are Evolving to Nourish Community Health
Posted in: Marginalized Groups, Poverty and Socioeconomic Status, Public Policy | Tags: Featured ResearchFood insecurity is related to poor nutrition and many other negative health outcomes. Food banks can and should implement nutrition policies.
Featured New Content
How Health Coalitions Can Embrace Indigenous Ways of Knowing
Posted in: Healthcare, Marginalized Groups | Tags: Featured ContentResearch and evaluation can be pursued collaboratively with greater shared power between community and university partners.
Equity Generally, Must Precede Health Equity: Lessons Learned from Community Organizers
Posted in: Healthcare, Marginalized Groups | Tags: Featured ContentHealth providers can be better allies to communities through community organizing. Community coalitions can build capacity with health providers.
Hands Across the Hills
Posted in: Coalition Building, Inspiration, Poverty and Socioeconomic Status, Rural Communities | Tags: Featured ContentThe United States feels divided by race, social class, and political ideologies. Hands Across the Hills seeks to increase personal connections and promote greater understanding.
A Love Letter to Marie Jahoda
Posted in: History of Community Psychology, Inspiration | Tags: Featured ContentMarie Jahoda’s early multi-method work and strengths-based community perspective makes her a grandmother in the field of Community Psychology.
Time Well Spent (in communities)
Posted in: Prevention Science, Sense of Community | Tags: Featured ContentPublished in: Australian Community PsychologistAdvance beyond traditional methods of psychology by recording the contexts in which they are embedded.
Safe, Secure, and Loved: Parent Education
Posted in: Children, Youth and Families | Tags: Featured Content, PracticePublished in: American Journal of Community PsychologyCommunity-led parent education focused on managing parenting stress, clarifying parenting goals, and strengthening nurturing parenting can engage and mobilize a volunteer community workforce.
