Weaving Feminism and Community Psychology: An Introduction to a Special Issue

Theories, Models, and Science in Community Psychology

“…Feminism and critical theory have contributed essential frameworks, theories, and models to advance scientific understanding in community psychology, often in direct resistance to the standard view of science embodied by logical empiricism (Campbell & Wasco, 2000;Nelson & Prilleltensky, 2010;Tebes, 2016). As a central foundation for community psychology, feminism's contribution to our field's scientific inquiry has emphasized situated knowing, participatory approaches, diverse methods, and action (Bond, Hill, Mulvey, & Terenzio, 2000;Campbell & Wasco, 2000;Haraway, 1988;Harding, 1986;Lather, 1991;Longino, 1990Longino, , 2013Riger, 1992). Critical theory, as another philosophical foundation for community psychology, has focused on human experiences of power and oppression as well as resistance, emancipation, and liberation through individual and collective action (Fox, Prilleltensky, & Austin, 2009;Horkheimer, 1931Horkheimer, /1993Martı´n-Baro, 1994;Mertens, 2007;Nelson & Prilleltensky, 2010;Teo, 2015).…”

Community Psychology and Liberation Theologies: Commonalities, Collaboration, Dilemmas

“…This incorporation of a socio-historical-critical analysis is not standard practice within the larger psychological and theological disciplines (Gutiérrez, 1971(Gutiérrez, /1988Reich, Pinkard, & Davidson, 2008). For example, in comparison to clinical psychology, community psychology has been more influenced by feminist (Bond et al, 2000) and liberationist (Watts & Serrano-Garcia, 2003) perspectives in shaping theory and practice. Furthermore, as opposed to traditional theology, theologies of liberation have incorporated critical theories relevant to their particular experiences of oppression such as a Marxist class analysis (Guiterrez, 1971(Guiterrez, /1988), a feminist critique of patriarchy and sexism (Johnson, 2002), and the writings of Malcom X and DuBois to understand racism and White supremacy (Cone, 2003;Hopkins, 2003).…”

“…Regardless, a critical analysis of power is central to theological reflection. Community psychology as a field has been less attentive to power, although feminist community psychology (Bond et al, 2000;Mulvey, Gridley, & Gawith, 2001) and the introduction of psychopolitical validity as a methodological criteria (Prilleltensky, 2003) have encouraged the field to center power as a major organizing principle of the field (Newbrough, Speer, & Lorion, 2008). Psychopolitical validity implies that research and theory is meaningful and relevant (i.e., valid) only if the psychological and political operations of power are addressed.…”

The place and function of power in community psychology: philosophical and practical issues

“…Bond, Hill, Mulvey, and Terenzio (2000) highlighted the nexus of feminism and community psychology, but specifically noted the importance of contributions to their special issues from people outside psychology. Perhaps, as Smail (2001) indicated, this means that we have to move away from our individual psychology bases and skill sets that serve to limit our ability to work with analyses and intervene in at power levels.…”