University of Stellenbosch - Stellenbosch University



UNIVERSITY OF STELLENBOSCH

DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY

HONOURS PROGRAMME/ B. PSYCH IV

2003

Community Psychology Module

Lecturers: Tony Naidoo Ronelle Carolissen

Contact Details: Office No. 205 Office No. 224

Wilcocks Bldg Wilcocks Bldg

Tel: 808 3441 Tel: 808 3462

Email: avnaidoo@sun.ac.za rlc2@sun.ac.za

Course description:

Community psychology focuses on the application of psychological theory, concepts and knowledge to address the needs, concerns and aspirations of communities (defined in terms of both geographical location and communal interest). Whereas the traditional approach to psychological theory has been largely Eurocentric and individualistic, community psychology adopts a more collectivist paradigm in understanding behaviour and in applying relevant methods and techniques. This module will examine the theory and method of community psychology within the context of the psycho-social needs facing contemporary South African society.

Course objectives:

This module seeks to attain the following objectives:

• Provide a historical context for contextualising the development of community psychology as a sub-discipline of psychology

• Interrogate the critique against mainstream psychology

• Examine the core values that underpin community psychology

• Introduce students to relevant theories, constructs, concepts and relevant issues in community psychology

• Explore different intervention methods used in community psychology

• Create an opportunity for students to develop an intervention to address a psycho-social concern with a particular designated audience

• Use experiential activities to demonstrate the practical application of some of the methods employed in community psychology

Course Readings:

Lazarus, S. (1988). The role of the psychologist in South African society: In search of an appropriate community psychology. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Cape Town.

Naidoo, A.V., Shabalala, N., & Bawa, U. (2003). Community Psychology. In L. Nicholas (ed.), Psychology: An introduction. Cape Town: Van Schaik.

Naidoo, A.V., & Van Wyk, S.B. (2003). Intervening in communities: Combining curative and preventive interventions. Journal of Intervention and Prevention in Communities. Haworth Publishers.

Orford, J. (1992). Community psychology: Theory and practice. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons.

Prilleltensky, I., & Nelson, G. (1997). Community psychology: Reclaiming social justice. In D. Fox and I. Prillelensky (eds.), Critical psychology: An introduction, pp 167-184. London: Sage.

Prilleltensky, I., & Nelson, G. (2002). Doing psychology critically. London: Palgrave MacMillan.

Rappaport, J., & Seidman, E. (2001). Handbook of community psychology. New York: Kluwer/Plenum.

Scileppi, J.A., Teed, E.L., & Torres, R.D. (2000). Community Psychology: common sense approach to mental health. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall.

Seedat, M., Cloete, N., & Shocket, I. (1988). Community psychology: Panic or panacea. Psychology in Society, 11, 39-54.

Recommended text:

Seedat, M., Duncan, N., & Lazarus, S. (Eds.). (2001). Community psychology: Theory, method and practice. Cape Town: Oxford University Press.

Web-site address:



Course Schedule:

1st Quarter: Thursday 11:30-13:00 and 19:00-20:30

Course Evaluation:

The course mark will be based on the level of individual participation in class discussion, group presentations, and a written assignment.

The Group Presentations

Topics will be assigned to groups requiring the group to work collectively to source relevant material and develop a 10 minute presentation in the class. Ensure that all members have an opportunity to present in at least one of the 3 presentations assigned to the group.

The Written Assignment

Adhering to APA or SAJP referencing format, construct a written assignment addressing one of the following tasks:

1. Using the river metaphor discussed in the first lecture (see Naidoo, Shabalala, & Bawa, 2003, p.1), critically discuss the emergence of community psychology in response to the critique against mainstream psychology. Has psychology (mainstream psychology and community psychology) lived up to its potential and perceived mandate in addressing the psycho-social needs of South African society? What responses, emphases, re-orientation, actions etc. would you suggest for a more relevant psychological approach in South Africa.

2. Community organisations are frequently limited by poor access to research resources, consultation, and academic materials. This often impacts adversely on the nature, level, and quality of programmes the organisation may develop to address specific needs in the target community. Choose one of the topics that have been identified by community organisations as an area for intervention or programme development. Provide an overview of research in the area and, based on this overview, make recommendations for intervention.

Some areas identified by community organisations:

a) Mentoring as a primary prevention intervention with youth-at-risk

b) Parenting skills programmes in sex education interventions with children

c) Developing violence prevention programmes

d) Whole school development approaches

e) HIV/AIDS education with school learners

Alternatively, you can contact a local community organisation and ascertain what specific area of need they have for you to focus on.

3. Imagine that you have been asked to develop and present an appropriate intervention to address a particular psycho-social problem prevailing in a community. Use your knowledge, skill and creativity to develop a relevant preventive or promotive intervention to suit the needs and level of the designated target audience.

Use the following headings to structure your assignment:

A. Nature of the Concern/Problem/Behaviour in the South African context

• Definition

• Statistics, incidence, prevalence

• Review of the SA literature

• Evaluation of risk factors pertaining to the concern

• Evaluation of resilience factors and resources

B. Description of the intervention

• How would you conduct an analysis of the community context

• What level of intervention is intended

• What are the intended goals of the different activities

• How will the goals and values of community psychology be fostered

C. Evaluation of the workshop

• How would you evaluate the workshop

• What follow up activities or processes would you recommend.

The length of the assignment should be 10-15 double-spaced typed pages.

The due date for the assignment is Monday 7 April 2003.

Course Schedule

|Week |Focus |Tasks |

|Week 1 |Introduction | |

|13 Feb |Critique of Mainstream Psychology | |

|Week 2 |Values of Community Psychology |Group 1: Ecological perspective |

|20 Feb | |Group 2: Prevention |

| | |Group 3: Empowerment |

| | |Group 4: Psychological sense of community |

| | |Group 5: Social Justice |

|Week 3 |Models of Community Psychology |Group 6: Mental Health model |

|27 Feb | |Group 7: Social Action Model |

| | |Group 8: Public Health Model |

| | |Group 9: Ecological Model |

| | |Group 10: Organisational Model |

|Week 4 |Praxis of Community Psychology |Group 1: Three levels of intervention |

|6 March | |Group 2: Three levels of prevention |

| | |Group 3: Psycho-educational programmes |

| | |Group 4: Action/Qualitative research |

| | |Group 5: Programme Evaluation |

|Week 5 |Roles of Community Psychologist |Group 6: Direct service worker |

|13 March | |Group 7: Researcher/Evaluator |

| | |Group 8: Consultant |

| | |Group 9: Trainer/Group facilitator |

| | |Group 10: Social change agent/Policy advocate |

|Week 6 |Community Assessment & |Group 1: Problem definition |

|20 March |Needs Analysis |Group 2: Diagnostic procedures |

| | |Group 3: Sources of data, information and background of |

| | |context |

| | |Group 4: Qualitative evaluation |

| | |Group 5: Feedback and use of results |

|Week 7 |Community Interventions |Group 6: Crisis intervention |

|27 March | |Group 7: Coping intervention |

| | |Group 8: Social support |

| | |Group 9: Self-help groups |

| | |Group 10: Consultation |

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