Community Psychology Explores How Individuals Relate to Society

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Community Psychology?HistoryWhat Does a Community Psychologist Do?Related FieldsEducational RequirementsSalaries

Table of ContentsView All

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Table of Contents

What Is Community Psychology?

History

What Does a Community Psychologist Do?

Related Fields

Educational Requirements

Salaries

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What Is Community Psychology?Community psychology is aspecialty areaconcerned with how individuals relate to society. Have you ever wondered how people can become more active contributors in their communities? Or do you ever think about how community issues can impact the health and wellness of individuals? These are both major topics of interest within the field of community psychology, and will be deeply relevant if you choose to pursue a career as a community psychologist.Community psychology is multidisciplinary. This is a fairly broad and far-reaching subject within psychology, synthesizing elements from other disciplines including sociology, political science, public health,cross-cultural psychology, andsocial psychology.Psychologists working in this field look at the cultural, economic, social, political, and environmental that shape and influence the lives of people all over the globe.Some of the disciplines that are closely connected to community psychology include community mental health, cross-cultural psychology, public health,social work, sociology, environmental psychology, and ecological psychology.How Cross-Cultural Psychology Explains BehaviorThe focus of community psychology can be both applied and theoretical, but it is oftentimes a mixture of both. While some community psychologists conduct research on theoretical issues, others take this information and put it into immediate use to identify problems and develop solutions within communities.Issues that community psychologists work on include:EmpowermentDiversityCivic participationBuilding a sense of communityProblem preventionHealth promotionIndividual wellnessCommunity psychologists seek to create positive social change within a social structure. They can achieve this through either first-order change or second-order change.First-order changeinvolves fostering changes in individuals in order to prevent or fix a community problem.Second-order changeinvolves changing the social systems that contribute to problems in order to ensure that individuals fit better into their environments.The 6 Stages of ChangeHistoryCommunity psychology began to emerge during the 1960s as a growing group of psychologists became dissatisfied with the ability ofclinical psychologyto address broader social issues. Today, many recognize a 1965 meeting of psychologists at the Swampscott Conference as the official beginning of contemporary community psychology.At this meeting, those in attendance concluded that psychology needed to take a greater focus on community and social change in order to addressmental healthand well-being.Since that time, the field has continued to grow.Division 27 of the American Psychological Association, Society for Community Research and Action (SCRA), is devoted to the subject of community psychology. Several academic journals are also devoted to the topic, including theAmerican Journal of Community Psychology, theJournal of Community Psychology,and theJournal of Community & Applied Social Psychology.An Overview of the American Psychological Association (APA)What Does a Community Psychologist Do?Due to the nature of this profession, people who work in this field often perform a range of duties and take on a number of different roles. Some things that a community psychologist might do include:Researching problems within a community and assessing individual needsFinding ways to help disadvantaged or disenfranchised individuals feel more connected with their local communitiesUnderstanding social issues among minority groupsDeveloping, implementing and evaluating action-oriented community-based programsBuilding relationships between individuals and community groupsEvaluate organizations, governments, and communities in order to promote participation and diversityCommunity psychologists can be employed in a number of areas including education, government, nonprofit groups, community organizations, and private consulting.Within the educational system, community psychologists often work at colleges and universities to teach courses and conduct original research. In a government setting, they may work in health and human services for local, state and federal governments.Related FieldsPeople sometimes confuse community psychology with related fields such as social work, cross-cultural psychology, and social psychology. While community psychology has many similarities to related fields and often draws upon these disciplines, it is important to note some major distinctions.Compared to Clinical PsychologyCommunity psychology is centered on action andsolving problems, much like clinical psychology. However, clinical psychology tends to have a greater focus on solving individual problems, while community psychology is devoted to understanding the underlying social issues that contribute to these problems.Community Psychology Explores How Individuals Relate to SocietyCompared to Social WorkCommunity psychology also takes a holistic, systems-based approach to understanding behavior and how people fit into society, much like related fields such as sociology and social psychology. Community psychology tends to be more centered on applying psychological and social knowledge to solving problems, creating real-world solutions, and taking immediate action.Compared to Public Health and CounselingLike public health and mental health counseling, community psychology is also focused on the prevention of problems and the promotion of health and well-being. It also has a very strong research-oriented component. Community psychologists often perform original research, develop theoretical frameworks, and then apply this knowledge directly within public and private communities.As you can see, community psychology overlaps with a number of other disciplines. However, it has its own unique and important contributions to make.The major goals of this field are to create new ways to empower people within their communities, promote social change and diversity, promote individual and community well-being, and prevent disorder.Educational RequirementsMost community psychologists hold at least a master’s or doctoratedegree in psychology. There are some community psychology programs available, but other students opt to earn an interdisciplinary degree or a general degree with a focus on community psychology topics.Some of the coursework that an aspiring community psychologist should take includes:Social behaviorResearch methodsStatisticsPublic healthOrganizational developmentGrant writingDeveloping prevention programsDevelopmental psychologySociologySocial problemsCommunity developmentTraining and education in community psychology focus on both research and application. Graduate students receive extensive training inresearch methodsand social statistics, as well as how to put this information to practical use through developing action-oriented community programs.SalariesSalaries for community psychologists vary depending on their level of education and where they work. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual wage for psychologists was just over $85,000 a year as of May 2022, which is the most recent data available.TakeawayCommunity psychologists play an important role in protecting the health and wellness of individuals and communities. By working to design programs and implement interventions, these professions help ensure that people are able to access the resources they need in order to reach their full potential.

Community psychology is aspecialty areaconcerned with how individuals relate to society. Have you ever wondered how people can become more active contributors in their communities? Or do you ever think about how community issues can impact the health and wellness of individuals? These are both major topics of interest within the field of community psychology, and will be deeply relevant if you choose to pursue a career as a community psychologist.

Community psychology is multidisciplinary. This is a fairly broad and far-reaching subject within psychology, synthesizing elements from other disciplines including sociology, political science, public health,cross-cultural psychology, andsocial psychology.

Psychologists working in this field look at the cultural, economic, social, political, and environmental that shape and influence the lives of people all over the globe.

Some of the disciplines that are closely connected to community psychology include community mental health, cross-cultural psychology, public health,social work, sociology, environmental psychology, and ecological psychology.

How Cross-Cultural Psychology Explains Behavior

The focus of community psychology can be both applied and theoretical, but it is oftentimes a mixture of both. While some community psychologists conduct research on theoretical issues, others take this information and put it into immediate use to identify problems and develop solutions within communities.

Issues that community psychologists work on include:

Community psychologists seek to create positive social change within a social structure. They can achieve this through either first-order change or second-order change.

The 6 Stages of Change

Community psychology began to emerge during the 1960s as a growing group of psychologists became dissatisfied with the ability ofclinical psychologyto address broader social issues. Today, many recognize a 1965 meeting of psychologists at the Swampscott Conference as the official beginning of contemporary community psychology.

At this meeting, those in attendance concluded that psychology needed to take a greater focus on community and social change in order to addressmental healthand well-being.

Since that time, the field has continued to grow.

Division 27 of the American Psychological Association, Society for Community Research and Action (SCRA), is devoted to the subject of community psychology. Several academic journals are also devoted to the topic, including theAmerican Journal of Community Psychology, theJournal of Community Psychology,and theJournal of Community & Applied Social Psychology.

An Overview of the American Psychological Association (APA)

Due to the nature of this profession, people who work in this field often perform a range of duties and take on a number of different roles. Some things that a community psychologist might do include:

Community psychologists can be employed in a number of areas including education, government, nonprofit groups, community organizations, and private consulting.

Within the educational system, community psychologists often work at colleges and universities to teach courses and conduct original research. In a government setting, they may work in health and human services for local, state and federal governments.

People sometimes confuse community psychology with related fields such as social work, cross-cultural psychology, and social psychology. While community psychology has many similarities to related fields and often draws upon these disciplines, it is important to note some major distinctions.

Compared to Clinical Psychology

Community psychology is centered on action andsolving problems, much like clinical psychology. However, clinical psychology tends to have a greater focus on solving individual problems, while community psychology is devoted to understanding the underlying social issues that contribute to these problems.

Community Psychology Explores How Individuals Relate to Society

Compared to Social Work

Community psychology also takes a holistic, systems-based approach to understanding behavior and how people fit into society, much like related fields such as sociology and social psychology. Community psychology tends to be more centered on applying psychological and social knowledge to solving problems, creating real-world solutions, and taking immediate action.

Compared to Public Health and Counseling

Like public health and mental health counseling, community psychology is also focused on the prevention of problems and the promotion of health and well-being. It also has a very strong research-oriented component. Community psychologists often perform original research, develop theoretical frameworks, and then apply this knowledge directly within public and private communities.

As you can see, community psychology overlaps with a number of other disciplines. However, it has its own unique and important contributions to make.

The major goals of this field are to create new ways to empower people within their communities, promote social change and diversity, promote individual and community well-being, and prevent disorder.

Most community psychologists hold at least a master’s or doctoratedegree in psychology. There are some community psychology programs available, but other students opt to earn an interdisciplinary degree or a general degree with a focus on community psychology topics.

Some of the coursework that an aspiring community psychologist should take includes:

Training and education in community psychology focus on both research and application. Graduate students receive extensive training inresearch methodsand social statistics, as well as how to put this information to practical use through developing action-oriented community programs.

Salaries for community psychologists vary depending on their level of education and where they work. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual wage for psychologists was just over $85,000 a year as of May 2022, which is the most recent data available.

Takeaway

Community psychologists play an important role in protecting the health and wellness of individuals and communities. By working to design programs and implement interventions, these professions help ensure that people are able to access the resources they need in order to reach their full potential.

3 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Society for Community Research and Action.What is Community Psychology?Kaufman JS, Connell CM, Crusto CA, et al.Reflections on a community psychology setting and the future of the field.Am J Community Psychol. 2016;58(3-4):348–353. doi:10.1002/ajcp.12108Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor.Occupational Outlook Handbook: Psychologists.

3 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Society for Community Research and Action.What is Community Psychology?Kaufman JS, Connell CM, Crusto CA, et al.Reflections on a community psychology setting and the future of the field.Am J Community Psychol. 2016;58(3-4):348–353. doi:10.1002/ajcp.12108Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor.Occupational Outlook Handbook: Psychologists.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Society for Community Research and Action.What is Community Psychology?Kaufman JS, Connell CM, Crusto CA, et al.Reflections on a community psychology setting and the future of the field.Am J Community Psychol. 2016;58(3-4):348–353. doi:10.1002/ajcp.12108Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor.Occupational Outlook Handbook: Psychologists.

Society for Community Research and Action.What is Community Psychology?

Kaufman JS, Connell CM, Crusto CA, et al.Reflections on a community psychology setting and the future of the field.Am J Community Psychol. 2016;58(3-4):348–353. doi:10.1002/ajcp.12108

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor.Occupational Outlook Handbook: Psychologists.

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