Critically Compare and Contracts the Community Psychology and Public Health Approaches to Social Problems

COMMUNITY AND HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY

“ Critically compare and contrast the community psychology and public health approaches to social problems. “

The Penguin Reference Dictionary Of Psychology ( 2001 ) defines community psychology as, “ ... an applied branch of psychology in which the practitioner works in a variety of ways with a community. It (...) is more often orientated towards improving the quality of life. “

The Acheson Report ( cited in the World Health Organization’s Health Promotion Glossary, 1998 ) defines public health as, “ The science and art of promoting health, preventing disease and prolonging life through the organized efforts of society. “

From the above definitions it appears that these two approaches may have a lot in common and are complementary. This essay, however, critically compares community psychology and public health. Firstly, it provides a brief description of the origins of these two approaches and a concise account of the basic premises of the two approaches and their irrespective models. Secondly, the essay compares the strengths and weaknesses of these two approaches. Thirdly it considers ideas and methods shared by these two approached and also makes clear dissimilarities. Finally, the essay takes a closer look at in what ways these two approaches may supplement each other or not.

Origins and Basic Premises

In South Africa, like in the USA, community psychology gained momentum at a time of social turmoil and an unease due to the lack of resources and treatment facilities. In addition, there was also an increased awareness of the impact of social systems on the human psyche – attention shifted to the effects of social variables like poverty on mental health ( Iscoe & Spielberger, 1997 cited in Reader for PSY461Q,2002 ).

The intrapsychic orientation of mainstream psychodynamic therapy was challenged, because of its elitist and selective nature. These characteristics automatically excluded the majority of...