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Psychology is a dynamic field with diverse branches and applications, and Community Psychology is one of the prominent ones in today’s context. With growing awareness of mental health issues affecting individuals and communities, there is a rising demand not only for trained psychologists but also for deeper research and evaluation in this field.
What is the Meaning & Purpose of Community Psychology?
As the name suggests, community psychology utilises a broader lens to oversee a group or a community by integrating cultural, social, environmental, economic, political, and global factors to analyse and identify solutions to bring positive changes on a systematic level. The purpose of Community psychology is to understand the relationship between individuals and society and how it impacts their contribution to the community and vice versa.
The relationship between community and individuals and their impact on one another is one of the most defining factors for community psychology. As a multidisciplinary programme, it instinctively includes other subjects or stimuli to evaluate the influence on individuals on a smaller scale and communities on a larger scale.
A Brief History of Community Psychology
Since the inception of Psychology as a formal discipline, it has been primarily focused on individual behaviour and action. During the 1960s, a larger call for addressing social issues through psychology emerged, resulting in the inception of Community Psychology.
This shift emerged as many professional psychologists at the time grew dissatisfied with Clinical Psychology’s limited focus on social issues. The turning point came with the Swampscott Conference in 1965, which laid the foundation for the development of Community Psychology.
Community Psychology Popular Theories
Like other branches of Psychology, Community Psychology uses multiple theories and applies them to a community set-up to evaluate how individuals react or behave in specific scenarios. Given below are 8 of the most primary theories of Community Psychology for you to grasp the subject at large.
- Behaviour Setting Theory: This theory examines how behaviours evolve under different influences, and specific places tend to provide similar outcomes.
- Ecological Systems Theory: While the ecological theory focuses on the vital role of the environmental factors, Ecological Systems Theory emphasises the interactions of individuals with the society, culture, environment, etc.
- Social Identity Theory: As social animals, every human being feels the undeniable urge to be part of a group or a social movement, where they feel a sense of belonging and explains how individual perceptions within the community are formed.
- Empowerment Theory: It is a key concept for communities to remedy inequalities and to achieve better and fairer distribution of resources for communities.
- Sense of Community Theory: Much like the Social Identity Theory, the Sense of Community Theory examines the sense of belonging individuals feel within a community through shared values, shared identity, and social support.
- Community Development Theory: The community development theory explores individual participation and contribution in solving community-inclusive problems, addressing issues unique to the society and working on organised development.
- Social Climate Theory: This theory aims to understand the correlation between individuals and their social contexts.
- Liberation psychology: Highlighting the oppressed and impoverished societies, liberation psychology empowers individuals to gain control over the resources that affect their lives.
A recent study has stated there are over 30+ theories that can be used in Community Psychology, and it is up to researchers and professionals to decide which theory to use in which condition.
| Theory Name | Core Idea |
| Behaviour Setting Theory | Environments influence behaviour; similar settings produce similar behavioural outcomes. |
| Ecological Systems Theory | Individuals interact with multiple social, cultural, and environmental layers. |
| Social Identity Theory | People form self-identity through group membership and community belonging. |
| Empowerment Theory | Focuses on gaining control over one’s life and promoting social justice. |
| Sense of Community Theory | Examines shared values, emotional connections, and mutual support within communities. |
| Community Development Theory | Encourages active participation to address and resolve local community issues. |
| Social Climate Theory | Explores the relationship between people and their social environment or atmosphere. |
| Liberation Psychology | Aims to empower marginalised populations by addressing systemic injustice and inequality. |
What Are The Benefits Of Community Psychology?
There is no denying the noble purpose and scientific importance of Community psychology in reigniting hope within the marginalised communities and weaker sections of the population. However, to lay it down in written words, the benefits of Community Psychology are as follows:
- Community Psychology looks at individuals within a community and works on improving their mental well-being.
- This branch of psychology strives to bring systematic change within communities through empowerment and by building capacity.
- Especially in the case of marginalised communities, social justice and equality are highly valued, seeding hope in hopeless circumstances.
- The adversities and challenges faced by any community can be countered and prevented to an extent through resilience.
- In a community, unity means a lot, and collaboration at a genuine level is important to solve problems and address significant social issues.
Community psychology is more of a noble initiative to strengthen the bond between community members, empower individuals, and foster a sense of shared responsibility to contribute to the growth and upliftment of the community as a whole.
How to Have a Successful Career in Community Psychology?
Community Psychology is a specialised field typically pursued through a master’s or doctoral degree. Dedicated programmes in Community Psychology are relatively rare and offered by only a select number of universities. However, many students opt for interdisciplinary programmes that provide substantial exposure to Community Psychology while also contributing to their broader academic qualifications.
| Step | Description |
| Undergraduate Degree | Start with a degree in Psychology, Social Work, or related field. |
| Volunteer & Internship Work | Get involved with community programmes, NGOs, or mental health initiatives. |
| Master’s Degree | Pursue a specialised or interdisciplinary master’s that includes Community Psychology. |
| Doctoral Programme (Optional) | For research, academia, or leadership roles, a PhD or PsyD can provide advanced expertise. |
| Fieldwork & Research | Participate in real-world community-based projects and data-driven interventions. |
| Licensure & Certification | Depending on your region, secure necessary accreditations to practise professionally. |
How Community Psychology Works?
The work of a Community Psychologist extends far beyond individual communities, making it an evolving field that demands ongoing research and exploration. As discussed, many of the theories and frameworks in Community Psychology are adapted from its parent discipline and applied to specific community contexts. This approach allows psychologists to gain deeper insight into community dynamics and develop more effective, context-specific interventions.
As a Community Psychologist, one of the first things to do is research about communities that require immediate professional intervention. Minority groups around the world face various issues and discrimination, and Community Psychologists can help the affected population overcome their trauma and feel valued.
Community Psychology is all about building a strong bond between individuals and community groups through evaluation and consequent development. By helping the disadvantaged and disenfranchised individuals on the grassroots level, Community psychologists build the foundations for a better future.
