History of Community Psychology

Community Psychology emerged from major events during this time. Major events including the Vietnam War, racial protests, and major social issues influenced psychologists to not only look at individual behavior, but behavior as a community (Scott & Wolfe, 2015).

Scott, V.C. and Wolfe, S.M. (2015). Community Psychology Foundations for Practice. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Don Klein was a founder of the field of community psychology. He attended the Swampscott, and focused directly on prevention in mental health and community mental health. He was a core member of the Union Institute, and focused on Appreciative Inquiry as the approach from his systems change of work (Scott & Wolfe, 2015, p. 13).

Scott, V.C. and Wolfe, S.M. (2015). Community Psychology Foundations for Practice. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

The Boston Conference was held in 1965 which became known as the Swampscott Conference (Scott & Wolfe, 2015, p. 8). This conference focused on community psychology developing social change and community action skills.
Scott, V.C. and Wolfe, S.M. (2015). Community Psychology Foundations for Practice. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

A new organization, the National Council of Community Mental Health Centers (NCCMHC) was established. This group was open to all mental health professionals, and established a series of councils to address the variety of issues psychologists and social workers encountered (Scott & Wolfe, 2015, p. 7).

Scott, V.C. and Wolfe, S.M. (2015). Community Psychology Foundations for Practice. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

"The Journal of Community Psychology and the American Journal of Community Psychology were both first published in 1973." (Jason et al, 2019, para 8).

Jason, L., Glantsman, O., O'Brien, J., & Ramian K. (2019). Introduction to community psychology. https://press.rebus.community/introductiontocommunitypsychology/chapter/history-of-community-psychology/

"Tom Wolff, Ph.D. is a nationally recognized consultant on coalition building and community development, with over 30 years’ experience training and consulting with individuals, organizations and communities across North America" (Tom Wolff & Associates, 2015, para. 1) He is a fellow of the American Psychological Association, and educates local communities on health care justice.

Tom Wolff & Associates. (2015). Biography. https://www.tomwolff.com/about-Tom-Wolff-building-community-coalitions.html

During this time period, many different issues emerged for community psychologists. Communities of color, racial equality, citizenship, and the war on drugs all emerged. Racial indifference appeared in health care, and the new president (Obama, a black man) began the change of inequality. The LGBT population also came to light, and fought for equal rights, switching the field of community psychology. Kien Lee, also focused on community science during this time, which involved these issues.

Maurice Elias is a past president of the SCRA. Maurice established a school based program that aimed at enhancing students' decision making skills. He focused predominantly on African American students, and their cultural adaptations.

At the event Champaign Urbana Biennial, a small group of practitioners who supported the SCRA, decided it was time to revise the SCRA. The new mission included that "The Community Psychology of the future will be guided by four key principles: global in nature, use of multi-sectoral, interdisciplinary partnerships and approaches, a focus on creating policies informed by Community Psychology and social justice values, and research and action that promote social justice (Scott & Wolf, 2015, p.18).

Scott, V.C. and Wolfe, S.M. (2015). Community Psychology Foundations for Practice. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

The Global Journal of Community Psychology was published. This journal grew very fast, with at least four issues per year. This journal acknowledged many community psychologists, David Julian developed "The Community Practitioner" column.