2021S01 **PYC2614** SUMMARY
PYC2614
COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY: BUILDING FOUNDATIONS
Table of Contents
ABBREVIATIONS & EXPLANATORY KEYS .................................................................................................................. 2
GLOSSARY OF TERMS ................................................................................................................................................ 2
SECTION A: THE FOUNDATION OF COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY ............................................................................. 6
THEME 1 – Histories and Schools ..................................................................................................................... 6
THEME 2 – Principles and Intervention Models............................................................................................... 9
SECTION B: COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY APPLICATIONS AND INTERVENTIONS ................................................... 12
THEME 3 – Prevention of Violence and Crime in my Community ................................................................. 12
THEME 4 – Crime & Security: What is working in my Community? .............................................................. 15
SECTION C: WORKING WITH CHANGE .................................................................................................................... 19
THEME 5 – Community Practices and Dynamics............................................................................................ 19
L. Smith (67337167) Page 1
,2021S01 **PYC2614** SUMMARY
ABBREVIATIONS & EXPLANATORY KEYS
ABBREVIATION MEANING
// Parallel; the same or similar to; against
abcd A term that is defined and found in the glossary
abcd A term within the glossary that is hyperlinked to an area within this Summery document
abcd Additional info obtained from online sources
abcd Information from Prescribed reading material
CPF Community Policing Forum
CS Community Psychology
Dept. Department
Eg. For Example
Esp. Especially
Govt Government
Govt. Government
IM Intervention Model
Incl. Including
ito In Terms Of
meds Medication / Medicine
NAm North America
obo On behalf of
Psy Psychology / Psychological
SA South Africa
SAm South America
VEP Victim Empowerment Programme
y Year(s)
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
TERM MEANING
Biomedical Model of Psychology The biomedical model posits that mental disorders are brain diseases and emphasizes
pharmacological treatment to target presumed biological abnormalities. A biologically-
focused approach to science, policy, and practice has dominated the American healthcare system
for more than three decades [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Boundary Management See self-regulation
Citizen Participation When community members have the ability to make decisions regarding their own development,
specifically by actively engaging in identifying, planning, establishing, implementing and evaluating
initiatives that affect their lives
Collective Violence Violence committed by larger groups of individuals and can be subdivided into social, political and
economic violence.
Colonisation Colonialism is not easily defined. It is a practice or policy of control by one people or power over
other people or areas, often by establishing colonies and generally with the aim of economic
dominance. [Wikipedia]
Community Policing A philosophy that encourages partnership and collaboration between the police and community
members to prevent crime
Community Resilience The development & dynamic use of a community’s protective factors such as coping styles and
strategies, in order to survive in the midst of challenges in various environments and to attain
community wellbeing
Community Strengths Factors that are available in a community that can be used to intervene to prevent a psychosocial
problem.
Community Wellbeing The experience of happiness and a good quality of life pertaining to the physical, psychological,
political, economic, social, environmental, cultural and governance issues at a community level
Conscientisation A term associated with the Brazilian educator – Paolo Freire, which refers to the development of
collective awareness of one’s social context, which allows one to make sense of it, critique it and
therefore to change it
Critical Continuous process that includes self-reflection.
Critical Thinking To display reasonable, reflective thinking focused on deciding what to believe or do. It involves
thinking about one’s thinking in a manner designed to organise and clarify, raise the efficiency of,
and recognise errors and biases in one’s own thinking.
Culture The way of life of a society, including the symbolic structures that give activity significance, and the
patterns of human activity and connection. It encompasses values, beliefs, norms, institutions,
artefacts, and rituals. It, therefore, refers to the ways of being and doing in the living network of
relationships within families and community.
De-Colonial Decolonial approaches, methods, and movements seek to disrupt colonial and settler-
colonial logic and the seeming "naturalness" of racial capitalism [wm.edu]
L. Smith (67337167) Page 2
, 2021S01 **PYC2614** SUMMARY
Discourse A formal way of thinking which is expressed through language, as well as a social boundary that
defines what statements can be said about a topic.
Emancipatory transitive verb. 1 : to free from restraint, control, or the power of another especially : to free from
bondage. 2 : to release from parental care and responsibility and make sui juris. 3 : to free from any
controlling influence (such as traditional mores or beliefs). [Merriam-Webster.com]
Empowerment A process of enabling community members to have a personal sense of control over their lives and
to control those factors that influence their lives in one way or another.
Epistemicide The destruction of other people’s knowledge and ways of knowing; seizing of other cultures and
erasing their contributions to world history.
Epistemology A branch of philosophy that studies the nature and theory of knowledge, assumptions about
knowledge, as well as the extent and validity of knowledge.
Exosystem of Human Development The level at which there is interaction between two or more contexts, with at least one of which an
individual does not form part.
Four-step Logic of Public Health Four interdependent steps used in the public health model, which guide the prevention of
psychosocial problems and the containment of their effects.
Heterogeneous consisting of dissimilar or diverse ingredients or constituents: mixed an
ethnically heterogeneous population. [Merriam-Webster.com]
Humanistic Psychologists Humanistic psychology is a psychological perspective that emphasises the study of the whole
person. Humanistic psychologists look at human behaviour not only through the eyes of the observer,
but also through the eyes of the
person who is being observed.
Ideology A coherent set of values and beliefs about the nature of society that is usually taken for granted as
inherently or naturally true and which serves to justify a particular set of social relations.
Individualism When the wellbeing & progress of the individual are put above that of groups / communities
Individual-Social Dualism The artificial separation of the individual and society in psychological theory
Instrumental Rationality A form of rational thinking that is good at analysing, categorising, and labelling things; at seeing detail
and dealing with parts; focusing on one factor or one goal (e.g., maximising a particular achievement,
increasing productivity, or maximising profits.) The values of efficiency, profit, rules and procedures,
order, neatness, rational planning, and a search for so-called “facts” are prized. When instrumental
values are considered as the only important factors in our search for truth, we run the risk of
disconnection and inhumane ways of understanding self and world.
Interpersonal Violence Violence between individuals or small groups of individuals.
Intervention Action taken to prevent or alter a situation or condition that is a result of a course of events.
Intervention Models are ways of conceptualising and understanding psychosocial problems based
on specific theories, which also propose ways of intervening to solve such problems (Naidoo et al.,
2013)
Intrapsychic Something that exists or takes place within the mind or the psyche
Liberalism A philosophy and political ideology that argues that human liberties are paramount, and emphasises
individual freedoms and rights.
Macrosystem of Human The level at which interaction takes place at a higher level among the micro-, meso- and exosystems.
Development
Marginalised People A group of people in a community who are excluded from the networks, activities and benefits of a
community or society, and are thus not connected to the whole community or society based on their
characteristics such as age, gender, race/ethnicity, religious beliefs, socio-economic status, level of
education, residential area, health status, and history of criminality, amongst others.
Mental Health Model A model that endeavours to address mental health problems in communities through preventative
interventions. Within this framework the psychologist is inevitable positioned as the expert in relation
to communities’ mental health problems
Mesosystem of Human The level at which there is interaction between two or more contexts which an individual forms part
Development of.
Microsystem of Human The level at which an individual interacts with other people, objects, and symbols in the immediate
Development environment.
Multinational Corporation An enterprise that produces or sells goods or services in various countries but is managed in one
country.
Pedagogical Pedagogy, most commonly understood as the approach to teaching, is the theory and practice of
learning, and how this process influences, and is influenced by, the social, political and psychological
development of learners [Wikipedia]
Post-Colonial The historical period or state of affairs representing the aftermath of Western colonialism; the term
can also be used to describe the concurrent project to reclaim and rethink the history and agency of
people subordinated under various forms of imperialism. [Britannica.com]
Power Dynamics The combination of two or more factors such as class, race, status, and gender, among others to
exercise power over another individual or a group of people, which results in compliance or
submission by the latter.
Pre-Colonial (ˌpriːkəˈləʊnɪəl) adjective. occurring or existing prior to a colonial period or colonization of a given
area or country; of or pertaining to this period. [Collinsdictionary.com]
Prevention The act of preventing a certain action/occurrence from taking place
Primary Protection Prevention aimed at reducing or stopping potential harmful incidents before they occur.
Protective Factors Assets and resources that a community can use to protect itself from experiencing a psychosocial
problem or at least its effects.
Reflexivity Thinking about consequences, sequences, and impacts. Connecting the dots
Resilience (In the context on violence & crime) The development and dynamic use of various coping styles and
strategies in different environments to handle forms of intimidation, anything that threatens safety &
L. Smith (67337167) Page 3
PYC2614
COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY: BUILDING FOUNDATIONS
Table of Contents
ABBREVIATIONS & EXPLANATORY KEYS .................................................................................................................. 2
GLOSSARY OF TERMS ................................................................................................................................................ 2
SECTION A: THE FOUNDATION OF COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY ............................................................................. 6
THEME 1 – Histories and Schools ..................................................................................................................... 6
THEME 2 – Principles and Intervention Models............................................................................................... 9
SECTION B: COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY APPLICATIONS AND INTERVENTIONS ................................................... 12
THEME 3 – Prevention of Violence and Crime in my Community ................................................................. 12
THEME 4 – Crime & Security: What is working in my Community? .............................................................. 15
SECTION C: WORKING WITH CHANGE .................................................................................................................... 19
THEME 5 – Community Practices and Dynamics............................................................................................ 19
L. Smith (67337167) Page 1
,2021S01 **PYC2614** SUMMARY
ABBREVIATIONS & EXPLANATORY KEYS
ABBREVIATION MEANING
// Parallel; the same or similar to; against
abcd A term that is defined and found in the glossary
abcd A term within the glossary that is hyperlinked to an area within this Summery document
abcd Additional info obtained from online sources
abcd Information from Prescribed reading material
CPF Community Policing Forum
CS Community Psychology
Dept. Department
Eg. For Example
Esp. Especially
Govt Government
Govt. Government
IM Intervention Model
Incl. Including
ito In Terms Of
meds Medication / Medicine
NAm North America
obo On behalf of
Psy Psychology / Psychological
SA South Africa
SAm South America
VEP Victim Empowerment Programme
y Year(s)
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
TERM MEANING
Biomedical Model of Psychology The biomedical model posits that mental disorders are brain diseases and emphasizes
pharmacological treatment to target presumed biological abnormalities. A biologically-
focused approach to science, policy, and practice has dominated the American healthcare system
for more than three decades [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Boundary Management See self-regulation
Citizen Participation When community members have the ability to make decisions regarding their own development,
specifically by actively engaging in identifying, planning, establishing, implementing and evaluating
initiatives that affect their lives
Collective Violence Violence committed by larger groups of individuals and can be subdivided into social, political and
economic violence.
Colonisation Colonialism is not easily defined. It is a practice or policy of control by one people or power over
other people or areas, often by establishing colonies and generally with the aim of economic
dominance. [Wikipedia]
Community Policing A philosophy that encourages partnership and collaboration between the police and community
members to prevent crime
Community Resilience The development & dynamic use of a community’s protective factors such as coping styles and
strategies, in order to survive in the midst of challenges in various environments and to attain
community wellbeing
Community Strengths Factors that are available in a community that can be used to intervene to prevent a psychosocial
problem.
Community Wellbeing The experience of happiness and a good quality of life pertaining to the physical, psychological,
political, economic, social, environmental, cultural and governance issues at a community level
Conscientisation A term associated with the Brazilian educator – Paolo Freire, which refers to the development of
collective awareness of one’s social context, which allows one to make sense of it, critique it and
therefore to change it
Critical Continuous process that includes self-reflection.
Critical Thinking To display reasonable, reflective thinking focused on deciding what to believe or do. It involves
thinking about one’s thinking in a manner designed to organise and clarify, raise the efficiency of,
and recognise errors and biases in one’s own thinking.
Culture The way of life of a society, including the symbolic structures that give activity significance, and the
patterns of human activity and connection. It encompasses values, beliefs, norms, institutions,
artefacts, and rituals. It, therefore, refers to the ways of being and doing in the living network of
relationships within families and community.
De-Colonial Decolonial approaches, methods, and movements seek to disrupt colonial and settler-
colonial logic and the seeming "naturalness" of racial capitalism [wm.edu]
L. Smith (67337167) Page 2
, 2021S01 **PYC2614** SUMMARY
Discourse A formal way of thinking which is expressed through language, as well as a social boundary that
defines what statements can be said about a topic.
Emancipatory transitive verb. 1 : to free from restraint, control, or the power of another especially : to free from
bondage. 2 : to release from parental care and responsibility and make sui juris. 3 : to free from any
controlling influence (such as traditional mores or beliefs). [Merriam-Webster.com]
Empowerment A process of enabling community members to have a personal sense of control over their lives and
to control those factors that influence their lives in one way or another.
Epistemicide The destruction of other people’s knowledge and ways of knowing; seizing of other cultures and
erasing their contributions to world history.
Epistemology A branch of philosophy that studies the nature and theory of knowledge, assumptions about
knowledge, as well as the extent and validity of knowledge.
Exosystem of Human Development The level at which there is interaction between two or more contexts, with at least one of which an
individual does not form part.
Four-step Logic of Public Health Four interdependent steps used in the public health model, which guide the prevention of
psychosocial problems and the containment of their effects.
Heterogeneous consisting of dissimilar or diverse ingredients or constituents: mixed an
ethnically heterogeneous population. [Merriam-Webster.com]
Humanistic Psychologists Humanistic psychology is a psychological perspective that emphasises the study of the whole
person. Humanistic psychologists look at human behaviour not only through the eyes of the observer,
but also through the eyes of the
person who is being observed.
Ideology A coherent set of values and beliefs about the nature of society that is usually taken for granted as
inherently or naturally true and which serves to justify a particular set of social relations.
Individualism When the wellbeing & progress of the individual are put above that of groups / communities
Individual-Social Dualism The artificial separation of the individual and society in psychological theory
Instrumental Rationality A form of rational thinking that is good at analysing, categorising, and labelling things; at seeing detail
and dealing with parts; focusing on one factor or one goal (e.g., maximising a particular achievement,
increasing productivity, or maximising profits.) The values of efficiency, profit, rules and procedures,
order, neatness, rational planning, and a search for so-called “facts” are prized. When instrumental
values are considered as the only important factors in our search for truth, we run the risk of
disconnection and inhumane ways of understanding self and world.
Interpersonal Violence Violence between individuals or small groups of individuals.
Intervention Action taken to prevent or alter a situation or condition that is a result of a course of events.
Intervention Models are ways of conceptualising and understanding psychosocial problems based
on specific theories, which also propose ways of intervening to solve such problems (Naidoo et al.,
2013)
Intrapsychic Something that exists or takes place within the mind or the psyche
Liberalism A philosophy and political ideology that argues that human liberties are paramount, and emphasises
individual freedoms and rights.
Macrosystem of Human The level at which interaction takes place at a higher level among the micro-, meso- and exosystems.
Development
Marginalised People A group of people in a community who are excluded from the networks, activities and benefits of a
community or society, and are thus not connected to the whole community or society based on their
characteristics such as age, gender, race/ethnicity, religious beliefs, socio-economic status, level of
education, residential area, health status, and history of criminality, amongst others.
Mental Health Model A model that endeavours to address mental health problems in communities through preventative
interventions. Within this framework the psychologist is inevitable positioned as the expert in relation
to communities’ mental health problems
Mesosystem of Human The level at which there is interaction between two or more contexts which an individual forms part
Development of.
Microsystem of Human The level at which an individual interacts with other people, objects, and symbols in the immediate
Development environment.
Multinational Corporation An enterprise that produces or sells goods or services in various countries but is managed in one
country.
Pedagogical Pedagogy, most commonly understood as the approach to teaching, is the theory and practice of
learning, and how this process influences, and is influenced by, the social, political and psychological
development of learners [Wikipedia]
Post-Colonial The historical period or state of affairs representing the aftermath of Western colonialism; the term
can also be used to describe the concurrent project to reclaim and rethink the history and agency of
people subordinated under various forms of imperialism. [Britannica.com]
Power Dynamics The combination of two or more factors such as class, race, status, and gender, among others to
exercise power over another individual or a group of people, which results in compliance or
submission by the latter.
Pre-Colonial (ˌpriːkəˈləʊnɪəl) adjective. occurring or existing prior to a colonial period or colonization of a given
area or country; of or pertaining to this period. [Collinsdictionary.com]
Prevention The act of preventing a certain action/occurrence from taking place
Primary Protection Prevention aimed at reducing or stopping potential harmful incidents before they occur.
Protective Factors Assets and resources that a community can use to protect itself from experiencing a psychosocial
problem or at least its effects.
Reflexivity Thinking about consequences, sequences, and impacts. Connecting the dots
Resilience (In the context on violence & crime) The development and dynamic use of various coping styles and
strategies in different environments to handle forms of intimidation, anything that threatens safety &
L. Smith (67337167) Page 3
