Community Psychology vs Public Health

MRS ABIGAIL SESA MUCHABAIWA

STUDENT NUMBER: 46332421

A critical comparison between the Community Psychology

and public Health Approaches to social problems

PYC 4811

ASSIGNMENT 01

Unique code:657794

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19 April 2015

ABIGAIL SESA MUCHABAIWA

46332421

PYC4811

ASSIGNMENT 01

Community psychology and Public health approaches might share similar theories

and conceptual models for example the empowerment theory, the social change

theory, the dissemination of innovation and the ecological theory but they differ in

their explanation of causes and influences of mental illness. I will start by giving a

historical background of these two approaches that is, how they originated and

their historical developments. I will then give a few pointers with regards to the

approaches strengths and weaknesses then conclude by highlighting how these

approaches complement each other.

According to The Cambridge Dictionary of Psychology, “Community psychology

is a branch of applied psychology that focuses on person- environment

interactions usually at the level of the community and is aimed at improving the

general quality of life within a community”. It is the interaction that is seen

between people and the environment within a certain community. Community

psychology originated from Mental Reform Movements in the United States of

America. The three reform movements were the, “moral treatment” (in the early

1800s), the “mental hygiene” movement (in the early 1900s) and the

“deinstitutionalization” (in the 1960s). (Tutorial letter 102/0/2015 for PYC4811).

It was first recognized in South Africa in the 1980s during the struggle for

democracy. There are two most recognized models in community psychology

which are The Mental Health Model and The Social Action Model. The mental

health model focuses on, “… prevention, immunization against rick for mental

illness and skills-enhancement,” whereas the social action model focuses on

ABIGAIL SESA...