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Behavioral Methods in Community Settings: A Neglected or a Vital Force?

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Abstract

Behavioral community psychology emerged in the 1970s, during a time when many psychologists and mental health professionals were becoming more skeptical of an exclusively person-focused, primarily psychodynamic paradigm. Behavioral approaches brought the advantages of a focus on tangible and quantifiable phenomena and an appreciation of setting influences on actions. Contemporaneously, the emerging field of community psychology also addressed the discontent with psychodynamic, individual-driven theories, providing an emphasis on systems and ecological contexts to understand and promote mental health and social justice. The synthesis of behavioral approaches and community psychology resulted in the creation of the field of behavioral community psychology. The failures and successes of the behavioral community combination may be understood from historical, theoretical, and methodological perspectives.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. DePaul University, Chicago, IL, USA

    Leonard A. Jason

  2. Center for Community Research, 990 W. Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL, 60614, USA

    Leonard A. Jason

  3. Fordham University, The Bronx, NY, USA

    David S. Glenwick

  4. Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA, USA

    John Moritsugu

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  1. Leonard A. Jason
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  2. David S. Glenwick
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Correspondence to Leonard A. Jason.

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Jason, L.A., Glenwick, D.S. & Moritsugu, J. Behavioral Methods in Community Settings: A Neglected or a Vital Force?. Behav. Soc. Iss. 30, 525–534 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42822-021-00046-2

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