Pyc4811 a Critical Comparison of Community Psychology and Public Health Approaches to Social Problems

PYC4811

Assignment 1

A critical comparison of Community Psychology and Public

Health approaches to social problems

Helen Robinson (Riley)

Student Number 30294843

22 April 2015

INTRODUCTION

This essay will examine and critically compare the approaches of Community Psychology

and Public Health to social problems. It will provide a definition and historical background

to the development of each approach, and also briefly examine the various models within

each approach. This information will be used as a context for the critical comparison.

DEFINITION AND BACKGROUND

Let us start with an overview of each approach

COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY

Community Psychology views and treats mental illness as a social rather than an individual

problem.

According to the Society for Community Research and Action, “Community psychology goes

beyond an individual focus and integrates social, cultural, economic, political,

environmental, and international influences to promote positive change, health,

and empowerment at individual and systemic levels.”

It has a preventative, rather than curative focus, and seeks psychological empowerment

within communities.

The development of Community Psychology originated in America in response to:





a recognition of inadequate mental health treatment facilities, and

observation of the impact of social variables such as poverty on the human psyche.

Various models of Community Psychology evolved, with the Mental Health and Social Action

models representing the polarity within this field.





The Mental Health Model recognises the limitations of mainstream individual

curative therapy and has a community-focussed, preventative approach with the

aim of relieving pressure on mental health institutions. In this model, the mental

illness is seen as the product of environmental and individual factors.

The Social Action Model maintains that social inequities, economic exploitation and

political powerlessness are...