Community and Health Psychology

PYC4811: COMMUNITY AND HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY Student number: 35406127 ASSIGNMENT 01 UNIQUE NUMBER: 792691

PYC 4811 COMMUNITY AND HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY ASSIGNMENT 01

CLOSING DATE: 22 APRIL 2013 EXTENSION DATE: 29 APRIL 2013

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PYC4811: COMMUNITY AND HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY Student number: 35406127 ASSIGNMENT 01 UNIQUE NUMBER: 792691

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Introduction Development of community psychology and public health approaches Variations and connections Conclusion References 3 4 4 5 7

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PYC4811: COMMUNITY AND HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY Student number: 35406127 ASSIGNMENT 01 UNIQUE NUMBER: 792691 1. INTRODUCTION

To critically compare and contrast community psychology and public health approaches, a definition of the terms seems to be of importance. Moitoza and Hersch (1981) define community psychology as an all-encompassing term related to any programme aimed at organising community resources in an effort to prevent mental illness and promote mental wellbeing whilst considering the psycho-social-environment of the community. In an attempt to clarify what is meant by public health approaches, I refer to the research of Gilbert (1995). In his work, he explains public health approaches as an ambiguous term related to the organised, or unorganised efforts of society to protect, promote, and restore health ideals, especially focusing on those conditions related to lifestyle, e.g. HIV/TB, using a collection of social and scientific acts. Community psychology and public health approaches focus on interventions with the aim of having an impact on the communities. Both approaches aim to address social problems present in modern societies. This paper will briefly refer to the development of both approaches and indicate the similarities and differences (variations and connections) between the two approaches. This paper will also refer to the