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To pick up on the reference to, and absense of, David Smail: I have heard him on a number of occasions question the necessity of new 'brands' of therapeutic (?) psychology, often referred to as 'the field of', 'the new field', etc. (which I think I remember is how Prilleltensky talks about it). When people talk about CP in this forum, I presume they mean Community Psychology, but my CP is clinical psychology - and yet, there seemingly being a separate 'community psychology' almost militates against me (as a trainee clinical psychologist) not using community ideas, because it's not what I should be doing. To me, community psychology IS the critique of clinical psychology. I like to think we can critique AND DO.
----- Original Message -----
From: [log in to unmask] href="mailto:[log in to unmask]">David Fryer
To: [log in to unmask] href="mailto:[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]
Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2004 11:15 AM
Subject: Re: new CP text - five questions

Thanks for the comments on my original ‘new CP text’ posting so far. Here are a few questions out of the many which have occurred to me reading the comments, in case they are of wider interest:

 

1. Are we anywhere near directing all critical effort inwards to the c.p. community or are we somewhere near directing almost no critical effort inwards to our own community psychology theory and practice?  Whilst most of us are aware of  negativity towards community psychology from positivists, experimentalists, medical model clinical psychologists etc., what serious critical analysis is there of community psychology from within the frane of reference of its own values and assumptions? 

 

2. Are we in danger of defaulting to the assumption that critical (ideological) analysis of community psychology is hostile or unconstructive? If we are to construct and practice a community psychology which is less ideologically problematic than most manifestations of psychology, shouldn’t we welcome assistance in identifying and addressing problems with what we do? Shouldn't we as a network be creating a context in which critical analysis of each other's work is appreciated as a form of support?

 

3. Does the geographical location of a voice offer a safeguard against that voice being a manifestation of US dominance?  Could Mr Blair have contributed more to US military global military domination despite being neither a US citizen or based in the USA?

 

4. Must we have a proposal for something better, and be able to put it down on paper, before engaging in critical analysis? But in any case, if so, as regards ‘power’, isn’t there already have a radical alternative conceptualisation in the work over many years of David Smail (whose work is not referenced once in the 500 pages of Community Psychology: In Pursuit of Liberation and well-being).

 

5. Haven’t we learned from Freire that, as dads and as mums, what we ‘know’ cannot be taken at face value and that critical reflection on what we ‘know’, including the stories about ourselves us which we have internalised, is essential if we are to escape being agents of our own oppression? Doesn’t the work of Martin-Baro and popular education in Latin America suggest that critical reflection can not only change things for people but that, in the face of total power, it is one of the few practically effective ways forward?

 

 

David

 
David Fryer
Community Psychology Group
University of Stirling
FK9 4LA
Scotland
+44 (0) 1786 467650 (tel)
+44 (0) 1786 467641 (fax)
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-----Original Message-----
From: The UK Community Psychology Discussion List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Dawn DARLASTON-JONES
Sent: 07 December 2004 12:48 am
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: new CP text - some critical reflection

Hi David

I read with interest your observations on the new CP text from Isaac – I think your comments make a great deal of sense and raise an issue a few of us (including my husband who except for what he learns via me has no real knowledge of CP) have been discussing. There are times when it feels as if community psychology has almost an arrogance that prevents us from critiquing our own research/practice/people in the same way that we would any other and this (at least to my way of thinking) fails to reflect the value base of CP (as I interpret it).

 

In this way there are frightening parallels to the lack of criticism allowed under various situations i.e. the patriotism argument which prevents criticism of the war on Iraq; or at a simpler level the inability of almost any Australia to countenance that one of their favourite sons (David Hookes) might have initiated the fight that led to his death. This might sound simplistic in comparison to what you are arguing but I think the same premise applies – if we blindly accept something as ‘true’ because we regard the source as above criticism we are in danger of developing a narrow field of vision.

 

There is also the minefield associated with a definition of CP because there are so many variants, which is why I stress that my lens is just that – my perspective. But surely the central tenets of CP should underpin all variants and manifestations of that which represents itself as CP? I think we sometimes lose sight of the need for personal reflection and if something is said or presented under the auspices of CP we blindly accept it without looking at the context in which it was produced.

 

I wonder if you would consider reposting your comments on our CommPsych list I think it would stimulate further discussion and this is necessary without as you say reducing the issue to the [personalities involved.

Best regards

Dawn

 

 

------------------------------------

Dawn Darlaston-Jones

School of Psychology

100 Joondalup Drive

Joondalup WA 6027

[log in to unmask]

6304 5527

-----Original Message-----
From: The UK Community Psychology Discussion List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of David Fryer
Sent: Sunday, 5 December 2004 6:14 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: new CP text - some critical reflection

 

A new community psychology book, especially a critical one, is a welcome event, Isaac Prilleltensky has written some very stimulating material, there are many interesting contributors to this book. I have decided to use this book as a course text (the paperback is just over £20) for my community psychology undergraduate 3rd year course at Stirling (running for the last time after 10 years because the Department has succeeded in finding a way to close it down at last).

That said, I will be doing my best to support the community psychology course members in reading its contents very critically indeed (in both senses of 'critical' - sceptically and with an ideological scalpel) and to deconstruct the book, the context of its construction and promotion and the receptivity of many to the ideas.

Why? The 'phenomenon' in community psychology of which this book is the latest manifestation surely deserves critical scrutiny. Isaac is phenomenally productive in terms of publication, a celebrity academic at conferences and his career rise has been meteoric - to the perhaps the most powerful and prestigious position (replacing Bob Newbrough as Professor) at one of the best set up CP outfits (in terms of staff and post grad students)  at one of the richest amd most privileged universities in the USA (Vanderbilt) and therefore in the whole world. I don't doubt Isaac's ability, capacity to work hard and long, commitment, tactical and strategic nous or sincere and good intentions. My reservations are not about that. However, I do ask myself what this phenomeneon tells us about the community psychology 'community' which is so thirstily receptive and uncritically accepting of this phenomenon.

I worry that part of the attraction is that we collectively want to be able to read and talk as if we have radical new conceptual tools with which to engage with power and oppression but to carry on in the same old same old . .

I also wory that this phenomenon is just another manifestation of US intellectual domination to go along with the economic, cultural and military domination.

I am not the only one with doubts. My course members used an internet early draft version of the book and as part of the course work wrote a book review of it. All the student reviews were then merged into one composite review. The student readers found many aspects of the draft version problematic.

As always, it is difficult to think and communicate critically about phenomena which are in some sense enacted by individuals without risking being represneted by by some as being hostile to those individuals. That is emphatically not my intention here.

A Special Issue of the Journal of Community Psychology is in preparation which features a target paper on psychopolitical validity by Isaac Prilleltensky and a set of commentaries. I know becase I have written one of them. That SI should make interesting reading.

So, good news that there is a new critical community psychology book but even better news if its publication leads to sustained, respectful, critical community psychology scrutiny of it and the phenomenon it represents.

David

David Fryer
Community Psychology Group
University of Stirling
FK9 4LA
Scotland
+44 (0) 1786 467650 (tel)
+44 (0) 1786 467641 (fax)
[log in to unmask]

-----Original Message-----
From: The UK Community Psychology Discussion List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mark Burton
Sent: 30 November 2004 11:43 pm
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: new CP text


The new Nelson and Prileltensky Community Psychology text is now out.  (OK  we've got a chapter in it but we aren't going to make our fortunes this way! and there is a load of other useful stuff). You can order it at: http://www.palgrave.com/products/Catalogue.aspx?is=0333922816


Here is the publisher's blurb

Community Psychology
In Pursuit of Liberation and Well-Being Geoffrey Nelson and Isaac Prilleltensky


        Hardback        156mm x 234mm
        November 2004   0333922816
        608 Pages       £60.00





        Read More:
        Description |  Contents |   Authors
        Read a sample chapter



DescriptionWritten in a highly engaging style, Community Psychology provides students with an introduction to the history, values and conceptual, intervention, and research tools of community psychology and illustrates how these values and tools can be applied to a wide range of social issues. Critical perspectives and international examples are provided by authors from around the world on how community psychology can aid in the liberation of oppressed groups and promote social justice and well-being.

Contents PART ONE: CONTEXT AND OVERVIEW
Community Psychology: Journeys in the Global Context
The Project of Community Psychology: Issues, Values and Tools for Liberation and Well-Being PART TWO: VALUES, PRINCIPLES AND CONCEPTUAL TOOLS The Values of Community Psychology Ecology, Prevention and Promotion Power and Community Accountability, Commitment and Inclusion PART THREE: TOOLS FOR ACTION An Overview of Community Psychology Interventions Social Interventions Organizational and Community Interventions Small Group and Individual Interventions PART FOUR: TOOLS FOR RESEARCH The Foundations of Community Research Community Research Methods: Post-Positivist and Social Constructivist Paradigms Community Research Methods: Critical Paradigm PART FIVE: PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER: ADDRESSING THE ISSUES Marginalization; C.Kagan & M.Burton Globalization, Poverty and Social Justice; T.Sloan Colonization and Racism; M.Glover, P.Dudgeon & I.Huygens Immigration and Adaption: Confronting the Challenges of Cultural Diversity; C.Sonn & A.Fisher Gender, Power and Community Psychology; H.Gridley & C.Turner A Journey Towards Liberation; G.W.Harper Ableism; G.W.White Creating New Possibilities for Promoting Liberation, Well-being and Recovery; B.Kloos Disadvantaged Children and Families; L.Peirson Environmental Degradation and Ecologically Minded Alternatives; E.Bennett PART SIX: LOOKING TOWARDS THE FUTURE Between Person and Society: Community Psychology's Vogage into Complexity; M.Montero Author BiographiesGEOFFREY NELSON AND ISAAC PRILLELTENSKY have considerable experience in the teaching, research and practice of community psychology; both have directed well-respected programs in community psychology in Canada, Australia and the United States.


Mark Burton
Head of Service:
Manchester Learning Disability Partnership, and Visiting Professor of Human Services, Manchester Metropolitan University

Mauldeth House
Mauldeth Rd West
Chorlton
Manchester
M21 7RL

tel. 0161 958 4014

work email address:  [log in to unmask]


Home:
37 Chandos Rd South
Chorlton
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M21 0TH
tel.  0161 881 6887, local rate no.:  0845 458 1165 [log in to unmask] fax:0870 751 5595

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The University of Stirling is a university established in Scotland by charter at Stirling, FK9 4LA. Privileged/Confidential Information may be contained in this message. If you are not the addressee indicated in this message (or responsible for delivery of the message to such person), you may not disclose, copy or deliver this message to anyone and any action taken or omitted to be taken in reliance on it, is prohibited and may be unlawful. In such case, you should destroy this message and kindly notify the sender by reply email. Please advise immediately if you or your employer do not consent to Internet email for messages of this kind.

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