Introduction to Community and Rehabilitation Psychology

Course code: PSYC 360

Module II: CORE VALUES

Core values in community psychology refer to fundamental principles and beliefs that guide
the ethical practice, research, and interventions within the field. These values are essential
in shaping the approach of community psychologists when working with communities and
individuals.

Common Core values in community psychology include:

1. Social Justice:

 Equity and Fairness: Community psychologists advocate for equal rights,

opportunities, and resources for all individuals, regardless of their background
or identity.

 Addressing Inequalities: They work to identify and rectify social and economic
inequalities, ensuring that marginalized communities receive necessary support and
resources.

2. Collaboration and Partnership:

 Community Engagement: Actively involving community members in the research

and intervention processes fosters a sense of ownership and ensures that programs are
culturally sensitive and relevant.

 Interdisciplinary Cooperation: Collaborating with professionals from diverse fields

enhances the understanding of complex social issues and facilitates comprehensive
solutions.

3. Empowerment:

 Building Capacity: Strengthening the skills, resources, and self-confidence of

individuals and communities enables them to address challenges autonomously.

 Participatory Decision-Making: Involving community members in decision-making

processes empowers them to influence policies and programs that affect their lives.

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4. Prevention and Wellness:

 Holistic Approach: Community psychologists focus on preventing issues before they

escalate, promoting mental health, and enhancing overall well-being rather than just
treating problems.

 Promotion of Resilience: Building resilience in individuals and communities helps

them cope with adversity and bounce back from difficult situations.

5. Cultural Competence:

 Cultural Sensitivity: Recognizing and respecting cultural diversity ensures that

interventions are effective and respectful of different cultural beliefs and practices.

 Culturally Tailored Interventions: Designing interventions that align with the

cultural norms and values of specific communities increases their acceptance and
effectiveness.

6. Ethical Integrity:

 Respect for Rights: Upholding the rights and dignity of all individuals, including
informed consent and confidentiality, is fundamental to ethical practice in community
psychology.

 Transparency: Being transparent in research methodologies, interventions, and

outcomes promotes trust between psychologists and the communities they serve.

7. Well-being and Quality of Life:

 Quality of Life Indicators: Measuring and improving factors such as housing,

education, employment, and social connections directly contribute to enhancing the
overall quality of life in communities.

 Human Flourishing: Fostering environments where individuals can thrive

emotionally, socially, and economically leads to healthier, happier communities.

8. Environmental Sustainability:

 Environmental Awareness: Recognizing the interconnection between environmental

health and community well-being, community psychologists support initiatives that
promote environmental sustainability.

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  Promoting Eco-Friendly Practices: Encouraging communities to
adopt environmentally friendly behaviors and policies contributes to the long-term
health of both people and the planet.

Some other Core values in community psychology are :

Individual and family wellness

Individual and family wellness refers to the overall health and well-being of individuals and
their families. It encompasses various dimensions, including physical, emotional, social,
intellectual, and spiritual well-being.

Physical wellness involves maintaining a healthy body through proper nutrition, regular
exercise, and adequate sleep. Emotional wellness involves understanding and managing
emotions, building positive relationships, and coping with stress. Social wellness involves
building and maintaining meaningful relationships with others and being an active member of
one’s community. Intellectual wellness involves lifelong learning, critical thinking, and
creativity. Spiritual wellness involves finding meaning and purpose in life and cultivating a
sense of connection to something larger than oneself.

Family wellness is closely related to individual wellness, as families play a critical role
in shaping and maintaining the health and well-being of their members. Family wellness
involves promoting healthy communication, positive relationships, and a
supportive environment that fosters growth and development. It also involves addressing
challenges and stressors that may arise within the family, such as conflict, illness, or financial
strain, in a constructive and supportive manner.

Sense and structure of community

In community psychology, the sense of community refers to the subjective experience of

belongingness, connectedness, and interdependence among individuals within a particular
community. It is a feeling of being a part of a group that shares common values, interests, and
goals, and where members feel a sense of responsibility for each other’s well-being.

A strong sense of community has been shown to have many positive benefits, such as
improved mental health, greater social support, and increased civic engagement. Community
psychologists work to promote and strengthen this sense of community by fostering social

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connections, promoting participation in community activities, and encouraging the
development of shared goals and values.

Additionally, community psychologists recognize that a sense of community is not just

a personal feeling but is also shaped by the social and physical environment of the
community. Thus, they work to address social inequalities and create more inclusive and
supportive environments that can promote a stronger sense of community and maintains the
Core values in community psychology.

Core values of Respect for human diversity in community

Respect for human diversity is a fundamental principle of community psychology. It refers to

the recognition and appreciation of the differences and similarities that exist among people
based on their culture, ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, religion, and
other identities.

In community psychology, respect for human diversity is important because it acknowledges

that individuals and groups have different needs and experiences that must be taken into
account when designing and implementing programs and interventions. It also recognizes that
people have the right to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their differences.

Community psychologists work to promote respect for human diversity by valuing and
celebrating the strengths and assets of diverse communities, as well as recognizing and
addressing the challenges and barriers they face. They strive to create inclusive environments
that welcome and support people from diverse backgrounds and work to address social
injustices and inequalities that affect marginalized groups.

In summary, respect for human diversity is a critical aspect of community psychology that
promotes social justice, equity, and inclusion for all individuals and groups in a community

Social justice in Core values in community psychology

Social justice is a core value of community psychology. It is a fundamental principle that

emphasizes fairness, equity, and inclusivity in all aspects of society, including the distribution
of resources, opportunities, and power. Community psychologists work to promote social
justice by addressing social inequalities and advocating for the rights and needs of
marginalized and disadvantaged groups.

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In community psychology, social justice is seen as a crucial element for creating healthy and
thriving communities. Social injustices, such as poverty, discrimination, and oppression, can
have a profound impact on individuals’ physical and mental health, as well as their social and
economic well-being. Therefore, community psychologists work to understand the
underlying causes of these social problems and develop strategies to address them.

One key strategy for promoting social justice in community psychology is through
community-based interventions. These interventions involve working collaboratively with
communities to identify their needs, strengths, and resources, and develop programs and
policies that address their unique challenges. Community psychologists also advocate for
policies and programs at the macro-level that promote equity and justice.

Empowerment in Community psychology

Empowerment is a key concept in community psychology that refers to the process of

increasing people’s ability to take control over their lives and make decisions that affect their
well-being. Community psychologists view empowerment as a critical strategy for promoting
individual and community-level change.

In community psychology, empowerment involves recognizing and building on people’s

strengths, skills, and resources, rather than focusing on their deficits and problems. It also
involves creating opportunities for people to participate in decision-making processes that
affect their lives, such as community planning and policy development.

Empowerment in community psychology involves three key elements:

1. Psychological empowerment: This refers to people’s sense of control over their

lives, their sense of self-efficacy and self-determination, and their belief that they can
make a difference in their communities.

2. Organizational empowerment: This involves creating structures and processes that

enable people to participate in decision-making processes that affect their lives, such
as community organizations and advocacy groups.

3. Community empowerment: This refers to the collective action and collaboration of

individuals and groups in a community to bring about positive change and address
social issues that affect their well-being.

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Community psychologists follows the basic Core values in community psychology which use
a variety of strategies to promote empowerment, including community organizing,
participatory action research, and capacity-building programs. These approaches are designed
to give people the tools and resources they need to take control of their lives and work
together to create positive change in their communities.