A Critical Comparison of Community Psychology with the Public Health Approach to Social Problems.

A critical comparison of Community Psychology with the Public Health approach to social problems.

PYC4811 – Community and Health Psychology

Assignment 1 –

Marcelle Laubscher

Student Number : 48149713

Introduction

This essay serves to critically compare and contrast community psychology with the public health approaches to social problems. The two approaches share many of the same beliefs regarding preventative measures and the therapy; however, there are some fundamental differences that place public health as the frontrunner for the effective execution of social change, within the realms of mental health. I will now critically explore these similarities and differences.

Origins

Community psychology developed from a critical re-appraisal of the then, mainstream, psychoanalytic theory. Professionals slowly became aware that the individualistic, ethnocentric nature of these prevalent western approaches fails to uncover & address the issues facing the majority of a society. It was the hope that addressing socio-economic inequalities (such as poverty and feelings of disempowerment) would alleviate the prevalence of mental illness & bridge the gap between the individual in therapy and the masses outside the private practice (Seedat, Cloete & Shochet, 1988).

Public health originated from four phases in history, each building on the last in attempts to solve various social issues of the time. They made efforts to contain & regulate dirt and human waste, to reduce the outbreak of disease, through prohibitive laws and regulatory bodies. Furthermore, they tried to encourage the public to take a personal interest in their own health and hygiene (Tutorial Letter 102/0/2015 for PYC4811, 2015).

Both approaches took a step away from viewing mental health from purely a traditional individualist stance, towards focusing on the social issues of collective communities (Tutorial Letter 102/0/2015 for PYC4811, 2015).

Epistemologies & Praxis...