Showing papers in "Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology in 2000"
TL;DR: The concept of community participation plays a central role in policies and interventions seeking to reduce health inequalities as discussed by the authors, and it is suggested that social identities, social representations and power are crucial elements for constructing a social psychology of participation.
Abstract: The concept of ‘community participation’ plays a central role in policies and interventions seeking to reduce health inequalities. This paper seeks to contribute to debates about the role of participation in health by suggesting how social psychological concepts can add to the theorisation of participation. It criticises traditional concepts of development and introduces some of the challenged that are present for development and community theorists in conditions of rapid globalisation. The paper proceeds to demarcate the space which a social psychology of participation occupies within the terrain of existing research into the health-society interface. The concepts of empowerment and social capital are identified as important starting points to address the relative lack of social psychological attention to community-level determinants of health. It is suggested that social identities, social representations and power are crucial elements for constructing a social psychology of participation. The paper concludes by highlighting the vital link that should exist between the development of theory and practical interventions. Paulo Freire's notion of conscientisation is a guiding notion throughout the paper. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
426 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a self-report questionnaire on bullying and delinquency was completed by 113 girls and 125 boys aged 11-14 in a middle school in Rome, and the authors aimed to analyse the personal characteristics and parental styles of bullies and delinquents, and to establish which factors were related to the bully/delinquent group and which were related with only bullies or only delinquents.
Abstract: This research aimed to analyse the personal characteristics and parental styles of bullies and delinquents, and to establish which factors were related to the bully/delinquent group and which were related to only bullies or only delinquents. A self-report questionnaire on bullying and delinquency was completed by 113 girls and 125 boys aged 11–14 in a middle school in Rome. Bullying and delinquency were more common among boys than among girls. Bullying did not vary significantly with age, but delinquency increased with age. Bullying and delinquency were especially related for boys and for older students. Only bullies were younger, while only delinquents were older, suggesting that bullying might be an early stage on a developmental sequence leading to delinquency. Only bullies and only delinquents had different parenting correlates; only bullies had authoritarian parents and disagreed with their parents, whereas only delinquents had conflictual and low supportive parents. This suggested that bullying and delinquency are not merely different behavioural manifestations of the same underlying construct. Parent training interventions might prevent both bullying and delinquency. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
385 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors compared experiences of discrimination and their influence on trust in authorities and psychological distress among immigrants in Finland, and concluded that the low level of stress observed in the most visible and most culturally distant group, despite high levels of perceived discrimination, is better explained by the latter than the former.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to compare experiences of discrimination and their influence on trust in authorities and psychological distress among immigrants in Finland. A sample of 1146 immigrants, aged between 20 and 36 and representing seven immigrant groups (Russians, Ingrian/Finnish returnees, Estonians, Somalis, Arabs, Vietnamese and Turks), answered a mailed questionnaire based on traditional acculturation research as well as victim research. In accordance with our expectations, discrimination experiences in various realms of life were highly predictive of the psychological well-being of all immigrants, as well as of lack of trust in the Finnish authorities. However, contrary to our hypotheses regarding the effects of visibility and cultural proximity, group differences in psychological distress did not correspond to the group differences observed in perceived discrimination. These results are discussed in the light of the opposing predictions concerning self-damage effects of discrimination, made by social identity theory on the one hand and the theory on self-protecting functions of external attributions (Crocker and Major, 1989) on the other. It is concluded that the low level of stress observed in the most visible and most culturally distant group, despite high levels of perceived discrimination, is better explained by the latter than the former. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
264 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors look at the processes of mentoring from the perspectives of adult mentors who were interviewed as part of a wider study of young people's perceptions and understandings of informal mentoring processes.
Abstract: This paper sets out to look at the processes of mentoring from the perspectives of adult mentors who were interviewed as part of a wider study of young people's perceptions and understandings of informal mentoring processes. It seeks to clarify the processes of mentoring within the context of the ‘risk society’ by posing the question, how do young people and mentors perceive these processes? What do mentors get out of the mentoring relationship? Findings from a qualitative study of informal mentoring relationships are drawn on to suggest that the mentors perceive the experience of being identified as a mentor and the processes of mentoring in highly positive terms. It is argued that this provides a form of ‘cultural capital for mentors’ in helping them to make sense of the challenges and dilemmas they face as adults. It is concluded that this finding has important implications for the design of mentoring interventions with young people. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
142 citations
TL;DR: This article investigated the emotional and cognitive experience of threat to identity described by immigrants to Britain (N = 24) from the former Yugoslavia, following the outbreak there of civil war, and examined how these interviewees engage in a meaning-making process, negotiating their position amid a complex system of group categorisations and cultural values in order to retain their sense of selfefficacy, continuity, distinctiveness and self-esteem.
Abstract: This paper concerns threats to identity experienced by migrants who have encountered radical socio-political upheaval. We argue that migration, following massive societal change, is associated with disruption that is likely to be undesired and, even when it is desired, because it is substantial, threatens identity definition and evaluation. There is relatively little empirical social psychological research on migrants' perceptions of the threats associated with migration and their impact upon identity. In this study, we investigate the emotional and cognitive experience of threat to identity described by immigrants to Britain (N = 24) from the former Yugoslavia, following the outbreak there of civil war. We examine how these interviewees engage in a meaning-making process, negotiating their position amid a complex system of group categorisations and cultural values in order to retain their sense of self-efficacy, continuity, distinctiveness and self-esteem. Identity Process Theory (Breakwell, 1986) is used to interpret the findings. We also show how strong emotional reactions surround alterations in identity meanings following severe threats that are consequent upon major life changes. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
127 citations
TL;DR: The authors investigates the way 39 residents of the North-Indian city of Patna cope with contradictions implied by traditional and Western psychiatric notions of mental illness, their aetiology and treatment.
Abstract: Issues of community and health are tightly linked to local cultures and to the system of traditional representations about health and illness. These systems, however, are rarely static, but are in constant flux through economic and technological developments — what is often called ‘modernisation’ — that entail new representations becoming part of everyday thinking. In this process the novel often plays the role of an icon of modernity in situations that evoke the idea of progress, while the traditional prevails in more static social structures such as the family. This co-existence of rarely compatible representations is called cognitive polyphasia. The present interview-study investigates the way 39 residents of the North-Indian city of Patna cope with contradictions implied by traditional and Western psychiatric notions of mental illness, their aetiology and treatment. It is shown that each of the two ways of thinking is situated and used in specific social settings. Some implications of cognitive polyphasia for community development are discussed. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
116 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a framework for interventions to promote child and family wellness is presented, and recommendations for changing priorities for programmes and policies are based on the framework and a review of the effectiveness of existing interventions.
Abstract: In order to foster the well-being of children and families we propose a shift in the priorities of psychological and social interventions. Following a brief discussion of the concept of wellness, we present a framework for interventions to promote child and family wellness. Psychological and social intervention strategies to promote child and family wellness are then reviewed and interpreted in terms of the framework. Recommendations for changing priorities for programmes and policies are based on the framework and a review of the effectiveness of existing interventions. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
108 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a qualitative study of gay men' understandings of HIV testing was conducted to explore the importance and changing understandin' of the community within gay men's HIV risk management.
Abstract: This paper draws upon a qualitative study of Scottish gay men|s understandings of HIV testing to explore the importance and changing understandin‘s of {community| within gay men|s HIV risk!management[ Nineteen men took part in one!to!one interviews\ and 07 men took part in focus group discussions concerning HIV testing\ HIV status and HIV risk!management[ These discussions were subsequently analysed for recurrent themes using Interpretive Phenom! enological Analysis[ We focus on the ways in which new health technologies have a}orded a process of {othering|] creating the social exclusion of known or assumed HIV positive men\ and thus contributing to the fragmenting of the gay community[ Further\ we argue that\ through shifting HIV avoidance mechanisms from their originally collective level to that of the individual\ such technologies have had the unintended consequence of facilitating inadequate lay constructions of risk!management\ potentially putting gay men at risk of HIV infection[ Copyright 1999 John Wiley + Sons\ Ltd[
108 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors assessed the efficacy of a model predicting the host country identification of members of immigrant groups, based on the positivity of the immigrants' acculturation attitude towards living according to the standards and values of host country, followed by the degree of acceptance by members of the dominant cultural group, the success immigrants experience in the new country, and the extent to which they choose to live within their ethnic environment rather than the wider society.
Abstract: This study assessed the efficacy of a model predicting the host country identification of members of immigrant groups. The model proposed that host country identification is primarily determined by the positivity of the immigrants' acculturation attitude towards living according to the standards and values of the host country, followed by the degree of acceptance by members of the dominant cultural group, the success immigrants experience in the new country, and the extent to which they choose to live within their ethnic environment rather than the wider society. The study included 602 adult immigrants from a number of countries (Vietnam, People's Republic of China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand), which varied in their cultural similarity to the host country, Australia. Results from a multiple regression analysis of participants' questionnaire responses revealed good support for the model. As expected, acculturation attitude towards Australia was the strongest predictor of host country identification, followed by acceptance by Australians, while extent of ethnic involvement was a significant negative predictor. The results also revealed ethnic identification as a significant positive predictor of host country identification. The importance of the relationship between acculturation attitudes and identification is discussed, together with immigrants' identification processes towards their ethnic group and the host country. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
107 citations
TL;DR: This paper analyzed the political discourse on immigration in Greece, Italy and Spain, with a view to highlighting how discourse is organized and the use of ingroup and outgroup categories in it.
Abstract: This study analyses the political discourse on immigration in Greece, Italy and Spain, with a view to highlighting how discourse is organised and, in particular, the use of ingroup and outgroup categories in it. It is hypothesised that talk on immigration involves a re-elaboration of national identity and re-definition of the ingroup/nation and outgroup/immigrant representation. Moreover, it is expected that immigrants are represented as Others, alien to the ingroup and, therefore, to be excluded from the host society. My aim here is to highlight the commonality of identity processes activated in different social-historical contexts and analyse the connection between ingroup-outgroup representations and the specific historical legacy and socio-economic reality of a given country. Greece, Italy and Spain have been selected as a suitable set of case studies because they have recently been transformed from senders to hosts of migrants. The section that follows describes briefly the size of the immigration phenomenon in each country and the public policies adopted. The second section discusses the ingroup-outgroup dynamics activated in immigration discourse from a sociological and a social psychological perspective. The third section concentrates on the analysis of political discourse, namely interviews with non-governmental organisations, trade union representatives and public administration employees in Athens, Rome and Madrid. The methodology used is that of qualitative discourse analysis. Findings are discussed under the light of sociological and social psychological research on the issue. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
97 citations
TL;DR: This paper investigated the lifetime prevalence of negative life-events and their association with post-traumatic stress in English adolescents and found that moderate levels of posttraumatic stress are present in around one fifth of adolescents who have experienced one of these events.
Abstract: The aim of the present study was to investigate the lifetime prevalence of negative life-events and their association with post-traumatic stress in English adolescents. Of the 427 adolescents surveyed, 360 (84%) endorsed at least one negative event. Respondents were asked to complete the Impact of Event Scale (IES: Horowitz, Wilner and Alvarez, 1979) for each event that they endorsed. For boys, highest levels of post-traumatic stress were found in those who had experience of a ‘family member with a drink or drugs problem’, followed by ‘parental separation or divorce’, ‘life threat to family member’, and ‘life-threat to self ’. For girls, highest levels of post-traumatic stress were found in those who had experienced ‘attack or physical assault to self ’, followed by ‘family member with drink or drugs problem’, ‘parental separation or divorce’, and ‘life threat to family member’. These data suggest that moderate levels of post-traumatic stress are present in around one fifth of adolescents who have experienced one of these events and that community levels of post-traumatic stress in adolescents may be higher than previously thought. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TL;DR: In this paper, three general themes are introduced to illustrate the kinds of social psychological issues that the study of immigration raises, and the context of immigration and identity negotiation is discussed, underlining the importance that other people and institutions play in the immigrants experience.
Abstract: Three general themes are introduced to illustrate the kinds of social psychological issues that the study of immigration raises. The first issue concerns the possible bases of social comparison that members of immigrant groups use. The second topic deals with the negotiation of multiple identities, as members of immigrant groups consider which ethnic identities they wish to claim and how those choices are manifested. Third, the context of immigration and identity negotiation is discussed, underlining the importance that other people and institutions play in the immigrants experience. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the relationship between hospital restructuring, psychosomatic reactions, anger and hostility in nurses and found that restructuring is a stressful and anger-provoking experience which increases with more restructuring initiatives.
Abstract: This study examines the relationship between hospital restructuring, psychosomatic reactions, anger and hostility in nurses. Scales assessed extent of hospital restructuring. Anger was assessed using the State–Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI) Scales. Results suggested that restructuring is a stressful and anger-provoking experience which increases with more restructuring initiatives. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TL;DR: This paper examined two contrasting models of the relationship between illness disclosure and mental health among an ethnically-diverse group of women with HIV/AIDS among a total of 176 women from three major ethnic groups were interviewed and assessed during the baseline visit for a comprehensive longitudinal study.
Abstract: The current study examines two contrasting models of the relationship between illness disclosure and mental health among an ethnically-diverse group of women with HIV/AIDS. In the first, and commonly accepted model, illness disclosure predicts enhanced mental health status. In the second or alternate model, based on the stigmatization that accompanies HIV/AIDS infection, illness disclosure predicts poorer mental health. We also explore an alternate interpretation for this second model, namely that the mental health status of participants is predictive of their levels of disclosure. A total of 176 women from three major ethnic groups were interviewed and assessed during the baseline visit for a comprehensive longitudinal study. Results showed that these women constituted a highly-disclosed population; over one-third of them had disclosed their HIV status to their entire social networks. Contrary to expectation, disclosure was unrelated to mental health among the African-American (n = 72) and European-American (n = 47) women. Among the Latina women (n = 57), however, greater disclosure was related to higher levels of depression, psychological distress, and reported pain. Regression analyses controlling for age, education, and illness severity showed that disclosure makes a small but independent contribution to the prediction of mental health status. Thus, among the Latinas, the data were consistent with both the stigma model and the hypothesis that greater distress predicts wider disclosure. General patterns of disclosure are described and possible explanations for the inconsistent relationships found between disclosure and mental health among the three ethnic groups are considered.
TL;DR: In this article, theoretical issues linked to the study of identities and intergroup relations within multicultural societies are discussed, where the issues discussed concern how identities acquire meaning in contemporary societies where events in the social context challenge identities and redefine the boundaries of the social groups.
Abstract: This paper discusses theoretical issues linked to the study of identities and intergroup relations within multicultural societies. The issues discussed concern how identities acquire meaning in contemporary societies where events in the social context challenge identities and redefine the boundaries of the social groups. More specifically the processes involved in the formation of new identity categorisations and the structure of identity are discussed. Two arguments are developed. Firstly that within multicultural societies one should study the systems of categorisation and the new psychological boundaries within the wider theories about the world people elaborate and share. Secondly, it is argued that since people's identities reflect social relationships, elements of the structure of common identities might be shared. Finally, the contributions of the papers of this special issue to the above theoretical debate are presented. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TL;DR: In this article, a study focused on one large religious group originating from one region (Hindus from Gujarat) resident in one large British town, providing analyses drawn from theories of cultural values, acculturation and social identity.
Abstract: People of South Asian origin represent one of the largest ethnic minority populations in Britain. However, research into the marital beliefs and practices of British South Asians has tended to conflate together different South Asian groups of different religious and geographical origins. This study focused on one large religious group originating from one region (Hindus from Gujarat) resident in one large British town, providing analyses drawn from theories of cultural values, acculturation and social identity. Seventy married couples participated in detailed interviews inquiring about the arrangement of their marriage, their attitude towards marriage, gender roles, and the formal and informal support available in times of marital crisis. Our analysis of these interviews suggested that whilst our respondents maintained largely collectivist values in the family, they also saw marriage very much as an expression of individual fulfilment. Marital choice and gender roles in marriage reflected an integrationist strategy combining the traditional cultural practices and identity priorities with the social preferences and economic realities of their new culture. Finally, social support was largely forthcoming from members of the Asian community, reflecting a degree of separation from the majority community particularly when emotional assistance was desired. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors tried to understand how people give meaning to the social categories they belong to in the context of superordinate group formation, through qualitative data collected from Greek and French nationals aged between 28 and 50.
Abstract: This paper attempts to understand how people give meaning to the social categories they belong to in the context of superordinate group formation. The context of investigation is the European Integration. Participants were Greek and French nationals aged between 28 and 50. First, the lay theories within which the social categories acquire their meaning were investigated through the analysis of qualitative data. 37 open-ended interviews (19 French, 18 Greek participants) were analysed using an interpretative phenomenological approach (Smith et al., 1999). Second, a questionnaire type study investigated the perception of the status-position of each national group (n = 293, French 145, Greeks 148). It is argued that, within commonly shared theories about European integration, the status-position of the subgroups guides the selection of elements upon which different representations of social categories are constructed.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors revisited the field of community participation in health promotion as understood from the viewpoint of social psychology, and argued that social psychology is well positioned to contribute to community development, in particular to improving understanding and aiding of social processes of participation and change.
Abstract: This paper revisits the field of community participation in health promotion as understood from the viewpoint of social psychology. It discusses ongoing dialogues between health promotion policy discourses in relation to community involvement in development, and theoretical and practical contributions of social psychology in this respect. In particular, it introduces a social psychological framework for understanding and aiding community participation, grounded in the works of Jurgen Habermas and Paulo Freire. A community-based adolescent sexual health promotion initiative taking place in highly deprived communities in Peru serves as a case study to illustrate the approach. Findings are discussed with respect to the outcomes achieved, the light shed on the understanding of sexual health, and the impact on the adolescents partaking of the project. In the light of the results of the practical implementation of the theoretical approach outlined, the paper argues that social psychology is well positioned to contribute to community development, in particular to improving understanding and aiding of social processes of participation and change. Areas that require further research both at theoretical and at practical levels are identified and discussed. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a discursive analysis of 172 suicide notes written by 120 suicide victims and find that matters relating to blame are referred to more frequently than any other issue (87% of notes).
Abstract: This paper presents a discursive analysis of 172 suicide notes left by 120 suicide victims. Instead of searching for the underlying psychological reasons for suicide in the content of notes, we argue that such notes should be viewed as acts of communication which serve to manage the blame accorded to both author and recipients of the suicide note. Consequently notes may provide evidence of socially shared beliefs as to when suicide is more or less acceptable. The analysis largely confirms this approach. It is found that matters relating to blame are referred to more frequently than any other issue (87% of notes). The precise arguments which are used to justify the actions of both self and others are then described in detail and some evidence is provided that the nature of these arguments may vary as a function of the social position of the author and also the identity of the recipient. The implications of these findings, and for a general use of a discursive approach to suicide, are then discussed. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TL;DR: This article examined the effects of intergroup contact, personality, and demographic characteristics on the intergroup attitudes of police officers, medical doctors and nurses (N=421; 274 females, 147 males).
Abstract: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of intergroup contact, personality, and demographic characteristics on the intergroup attitudes of police officers, medical doctors and nurses (N=421; 274 females, 147 males). Following the contact hypothesis, intergroup contact in and of itself was not expected to be sufficient for reducing intergroup prejudice, especially in unequal contacts between professionals and their clients. It was argued that the quality of contact required for the improvement of intergroup attitudes is not equal status or emotional closeness of the participants, but rather that of individuation and familiarity of the outgroup member. The results showed that both level of authoritarianism and individuation of an outgroup member affected intergroup attitudes across all types of contact. For authoritarianism, this result did not hold separately for males, but the individuation effect was very stable; those who knew an outgroup member only superficially held more negative intergroup attitudes than those who knew him or her well, even in unequal and non-voluntary contacts, and even when controlling for authoritarianism, gender, education and professional field. The effect was non-significant in voluntary contacts. No differences in intergroup attitudes were found between males and females or between the professional groups among males after controlling for authoritarianism. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TL;DR: The in-group preference and self-concepts of urban Aboriginal-Australian and Anglo-Australian children have never been compared, nor their relationships to teachers' evaluations of academic performance as mentioned in this paper, and it was concluded that the problems faced by Aboriginal children are only likely to be alleviated by a great deal of structural change.
Abstract: The in-group preference and self-concepts of urban Aboriginal-Australian and Anglo-Australian children have never been compared, nor their relationships to teachers' evaluations of academic performance. In this study, 60 Aboriginal (primarily local Nyoongah) and 60 Anglo children aged 6–12 years were tested on in-group preference; children aged 8+ were tested on self-concept. Also, their teachers evaluated them on their general academic performance. Results indicated that Anglo children showed greater in-group preference and scored higher on teacher evaluations than Aboriginal children, although there was no difference on self-concept. No correlation existed between in-group preference and self-concept. It was concluded that the problems faced by Aboriginal children are only likely to be alleviated by a great deal of structural change. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors build a model for the public image and visibility of the police using multi-sample structural equation modeling, using a four-factor model with two image factors (Friendliness and Closeness) and two visibility factors (Patrol-Car-Related and Police-on-Foot Activities) confirmed by the data.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to build a model for the public image and visibility of the police. These variables were seen as central to successful community policing. Explanatory variables included were contacts with the police, victimisation and background characteristics of the respondents. Questionnaire data were obtained from a sample of 3271 adults (mean age 42) and 986 youngsters (mean age 15.5) in two Finnish cities. Using multi-sample structural equation modelling, a four-factor model with two image factors (Friendliness and Closeness) and two visibility factors (Patrol-Car-Related and Police-on-Foot Activities) was confirmed by the data. As hypothesised, for both adults and youngsters, seeing police-on-foot activities was positively correlated with both image factors, while seeing Patrol-Car-Related Activities was negatively correlated with police image. Relationships of explanatory variables with image factors were to a large extent but not completely mediated by the visibility factors. Some differences were found between adults and youngsters in factor means and in regression relationships. Quality of police visibility proved to be an important factor from the point of view of community policing, in which one of the main purposes is to improve the relationship between the police and the public. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TL;DR: The authors analyzes the integration of voluntary immigrants who, while maintaining their cultural distinctiveness, have come to share the American dream and find that they have reduced their social distance to the dominant Anglo-culture and facilitated their inclusion.
Abstract: The American experience teaches us that integration is not just mere proximity, but an active process based on joint participation and mutual acceptance. It is only in the creation of a common superordinate structure shared with the majority that minority groups can aspire to be associated with the dominant culture. Ironically, America has become most successful in allowing various immigrant groups to become part of its mainstream by abandoning the idea of blind assimilation. This paper analyzes the integration of voluntary immigrants who, while maintaining their cultural distinctiveness, have come to share the American dream'. It is however in their social representations of Blacks, defined negatively as the other, that they have reduced their social distance to the dominant Anglo-culture and facilitated their inclusion. By reconstructing their own cultural distinctiveness, like other groups, in juxtapositin to America, some Blacks have transformed themselves into African Americans to achieve the same level of integration.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors focus on community psychology practices developed in Brazil in the last four decades and argue that there are philosophical and political differences between community social psychology and other psychological practices, and also discuss the possibilities and dangers associated with the work of Community Social Psychology as it responds to demands of both civil society and neo-liberal governments.
Abstract: This paper focuses on community psychology practices developed in Brazil in the last four decades. These practices are situated in different historical periods in order to identify the paradigms and the theoretical and methodological aspects that have guided them. The paper outlines a debate between ‘old’ and ‘new’ community psychological practices and their corresponding philosophical foundations with the objective of establishing the elements that demarcate the Latin American experience in community social psychology. It is argued that there are philosophical and political differences between community social psychology and other psychological practices. The paper also discusses the possibilities and dangers associated with the work of community social psychology as it responds to demands of both civil society and neo-liberal governments. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TL;DR: This article examined the ways in which a group of middle class second generation Bangladeshi adults construct and account for their experiences of racism using a discursive analysis of tape recorded conversations, and showed how various discursive practices construct racism in participant's descriptions of racist experiences, and how these constructions serve particular functions.
Abstract: This paper examines the ways in which a group of middle class second generation Bangladeshi adults construct and account for their experiences of racism. Using a discursive analysis of tape recorded conversations, the study shows how various discursive practices construct racism in participant's descriptions of racist experiences, and how these constructions serve particular functions. For instance, the discourses of an ‘improved present’ and ‘racism as present but hidden’ are identified. In these discourses, I argue, racism is constructed as a problem of the past and therefore only a comparatively minor problem at present, or as present phenomenon, but manifesting itself in more subtle covert forms. I argue that these discourses may be considered as problematic in that they can be seen as potentially sustaining and perpetuating particular kinds of social relations. What I also wish to argue is that this kind of analysis demonstrates the need for a theorization of the subject. In this case, the need for racism to be understood from the perspective of these middle class second generation Bangladeshis. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TL;DR: In this paper, 28 measures of political attitudes were validated on a sample of 388 undergraduate students from Northern Ireland and found that intergroup differentiation between Catholics and Protestants conformed to Social Identity Theory, with maximum differentiation on important issues, Catholics adopting a social change ideology and Protestants defending the status quo.
Abstract: Twenty-eight measures of political attitudes were validated on a sample of 388 undergraduate students from Northern Ireland. Confirmatory factor analysis showed the scales to be unidimensional, discriminantly valid, with generally excellent reliabilities. The pattern of intergroup differentiation between Catholics and Protestants conformed to Social Identity Theory, with maximum differentiation on important issues, Catholics adopting a social change ideology and Protestants defending the status quo. Catholics and Protestants resolved their respective group associations with violence by condemning both it and terrorism, and also reported interdenominational friendships. The utility of these new measures of political attitudes in terms of measuring changes due to political initiatives, cross-community reconciliation programmes and in assessing changes in attitudes as a result of integrated or segregated denominational schooling within the Province is outlined. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TL;DR: In this article, a critical account of the way in which a group of South African psychologists and other mental health workers sought to use their professions as instruments of resistance to apartheid is provided.
Abstract: The article provides a critical account of the way in which a group of South African psychologists and other mental health workers sought to use their professions as instruments of resistance to apartheid. Through recounting the history of the Durban branch of the Organisation for Appropriate Social Services in South Africa (OASSSA), a progressive anti-apartheid “social service” organisation, the aims of the paper are two-fold: firstly, to suggest some of the ways in which the practice of this broad-based mental health and social service organisation challenged mainstream psychological thinking and began to develop some progressive psychological practices within the conditions of apartheid repression and violence; and secondly, to note some of the difficulties and contradictions that arose in OASSSA's work with working class communities, given that the organisation's membership was largely made up of middle-class academics and professionals. The paper concludes with a critical discussion of the extent to which the group succeeded in achieving its goals of (i) service delivery, (ii) the political mobilisation of psychologists, and (iii) the challenging and critical redefinition of the terrain of psychological practice in South Africa. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TL;DR: This paper examined the utility of a narrative approach to studying stereotypes about public housing residents and found that stories and traits convey unique information not expressed by the other and offer preliminary support for the added usefulness, especially contextual information, of the narrative framework for studying stereotypes.
Abstract: Expansion of policies aimed at empowering disenfranchised groups, for example, resident/tenant participation in public housing, have been greeted with a great deal of enthusiasm. However, negative beliefs about the intelligence, ability, and morality of these groups, may interfere with the implementation of these policies. A greater understanding of social perceptions may lead to interventions that diminish interference. Traditional stereotyping research methods rely on trait conceptualizations that have been criticized as inadequate to fully describe social perceptions. This study examines the utility of a narrative approach to studying stereotypes about public housing residents. A group of college students (authors) wrote stories about a public housing resident and described the resident using trait objectives. Two readers, one given the story and the other the trait list, predicted how the author responded on various public housing belief and attitude instruments. Results indicate that stories and traits convey unique information not expressed by the other and offer preliminary support for the added usefulness, especially contextual information, of a narrative framework for studying stereotypes. The relevance of a narrative approach for understanding how stereotypes may undermine empowerment-based policies, in this case tenant participation in public housing, will also be explored. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.