Community Psychology, the Church and Theological Perspectives: Introduction to the Special Issue

Abstract

The indisputable focus in psychology in the past century has been the scientific study of the individual. Individualism in American culture has perforce shaped American psychology in the scope of its scholarly concern, its methodology and therapeutic goals. Alexis deTocqueville (1835/2003) was the first to comment on American individualism with a long train of interpreters there after. Rieff (1966) critiqued psychoanalysis for lacking a commitment to ethical culture that contains the autonomous individual. Bellah (1985) lamented the loss of covenant with increasing individualism in American society. It was Cushman (1995) who detailed psychology's dependence on American individualism. Community psychology emerged as a discipline in response to this social context, particularly the individual medical model of mental illness. The field officially had its beginnings at the 1965 Swampscott conference, where social scientists developed a form of psychology that emphasized prevention, multiple levels of analysis, and change at systemic levels, rather than focusing on individuals as responsible for their condition (Dalton, Elias & Wandersman, 2006; see Todd, 2011, in this issue for a more detailed account of the historical development of community psychology). This form of psychology studies the process through which an individual's context and community shape their development in positive and negative ways at the same time that it examines how individuals shape the systems around them. It should come as no surprise that Christian psychologists whose spiritual formation has been shaped by the church would be interested in community psychology. The church, as a sign of the Reign of God, is key theological fact, a historical presence, and a psychological experience (Green, 2008; Vanier, 1979). Grenz (1994) has made the case that because the Trinity is relational, being made in the image of God means that we more fully manifest this image when we are in community. Hence there are an increasing number of Christian psychologists who are trained in the field of community psychology or who have deep communal and cultural sensibilities that seek to engage in moral, theological and eccle-sial reflection on this field (Canning & Jones, in press; Moore, 1991; Rappaport, 1997, Sarason, 1974; Shwederetal., 1997; Wilson, 1995). In this issue we provide 8 essays that address integrative issues from four perspectives within community psychology: theological reflections, collaborative research, international concerns, and health care and prevention. These articles collectively both summarize and advance theological reflection and application of community psychology methods in faith-based settings, both in the U.S. and internationally. They also point to areas where both integrative reflection and research can be further developed. Theological Reflections on Community Psychology Our special issue begins with two articles that explore theological understandings of community psychology. Canning (2011) enumerates core principles and assumptions of community psychology and examines them through a theological lens. She then provides an example from her community consultation work to illustrate these core assumptions from an integrative perspective, as they are experienced in a community setting. Todd (2011) describes Latin American (e.g., Gutierrez, 1971; Cabestrero & Cardenal, 1981) and North American Black (e.g., Cone, 2003; Williams, 1995) liberation theologies and then generates a dialogue between these liberation theologies and community psychology in order to examine how each field contributes to an understanding of personal and social change through a process of liberation. Collaborative Research and Intervention Methods That Empower Participants Two articles include descriptions of research and intervention methods that empower participants through the process of collaboration and provide case studies where these methods were utilized. …