Explore the role of community psychologists as agents of social change at different levels of intervention: individual, small group, organization, community
How might you apply tools of action at multiple levels to facilitate liberation and well-being in the context of specific social issues?
Levels of Intervention
Social Interventions
Interventions at the social level are designed to increase well-being of a population at the macro level by targeting policies, programs, and power differences. An example of an intervention at this level might be to have participants engage in lobbying for anti-discriminatory legislation. Some strengths of intervening at this level include the breadth and depth of outcomes (it can affect whole societies), and the lasting effect of changes. Weaknesses or challenges at this level include significant systemic resistance to change, and the cost in time and resources necessary for a sustained effort.
Organizational and Community Interventions
Interventions at the organizational level are usually focused on a single institution and seek to increase well-being of specific groups of workers or stakeholders. A good example would be a project for school reform at the city or county level. Like community-level interventions, a strength of this type of intervention is the potential to affect a large number of people. By the same token, a weakness may be that the intervention is too limited, and favors a narrow group of stakeholders over others.
Small Group and Individual Interventions
Interventions at the small group and individual level are diverse in type, but tend to favor ameliorative outcomes. An example of a small group intervention might be to work with a local group of disabled students to increase personal empowerment and coping skills. Strengths of working at this level include protection from immediate harm (abuse, neglect, etc.), and effectiveness of treating mental health issues. A limitation of this level of intervention is the narrowness of focus, if a ripple effect is not created across the community.
Learning Resources
Required Readings
Hawe, P. (2017). The contribution of social ecological thinking to community psychology: Origins, practice, and research. In M. A. Bond, I. Serrano-García, C. B. Keys, M. Shinn, M. A. Bond, I. Serrano-García, … M. Shinn (Eds.) , APA handbook of community psychology : Theoretical foundations, core concepts, and emerging challenges (pp. 87-105). Washington, DC, US: American Psychological Association.
In this course you will be submitting three papers. The first two are critiques of specific programs in your community or state. The final paper is a program proposal of your own.
As you review these existing guidelines for programs think about the level of intervention this covers. Is this a program where you will work with individuals, groups, or from a wider community level or even federal policy approach.
Examples of programs to review.
Obesity prevention: https://www.thecommunityguide.org/findings/obesity-prevention-control-meal-fruit-vegetable-snack-interventions-combined-physical-activity-interventions-schools
Diabetes management: https://www.thecommunityguide.org/findings/diabetes-management-interventions-engaging-community-health-workers
Vaccination: https://www.thecommunityguide.org/findings/vaccination-programs-home-visits-increase-vaccination-rates
Violence and teens: https://www.thecommunityguide.org/findings/violence-psychological-harm-traumatic-events-among-children-and-adolescents-cognitive-behavioral-therapy-individual
Physical Activity: https://www.thecommunityguide.org/findings/physical-activity-social-support-interventions-community-settings
Tobacco: https://www.thecommunityguide.org/findings/tobacco-use-and-secondhand-smoke-exposure-smoke-free-policies
Learner identified professional journal articles. These are available via PsycArticles through the Walden Library on-line data base access at https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library
Issue Post:
The discussion topic this week focuses on the levels of intervention in community psychology: community, organization, small group, individual. Consider and respond to the following. Be sure to draw from and cite required readings as well as your own personal and professional experiences and other sources of knowledge.
Using the social issue you selected in previous weeks or a different social issue:
Discussion #2
Discuss the benefits and limitations of interventions at the individual, small group, organizational, and community levels for facilitating social change.