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Interdisciplinary Linkage of Community Psychology and Cross-Cultural Psychology: History, Values, and an Illustrative Research and Action Project on Intimate Partner Violence

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American Journal of Community Psychology

Abstract

An analysis of the respective organizational histories, missions, and scholarly activity of the International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology and the Society for Community Research and Action was conducted in order to inform the development of interdisciplinary linkages between members of the two organizations. The analysis revealed many points of shared values and actions, as well as some important differences. Both scholarly organizations developed out of a similar historical and cultural zeitgeist in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The missions emphasize the role of culture/diversity in psychological phenomena, adopting an interdisciplinary orientation, the value of collaboration, the importance of research method and ethics, and the value of action research. However, community psychology generally lacks an adequate treatment of cultural phenomena while cross-cultural psychology often fails to draw on community and participatory methods useful for understanding culture in context. These common roots and differences are examined. Finally, we describe a community based, participatory research and intervention project to address intimate partner violence among Latinos and European-Americans living in Oregon. Analysis of the research process and on some of our initial findings illustrates challenges and potential benefits of an interdisciplinary, cultural community psychology.

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Notes

  1. Of course, both disciplines trace their histories much further back than these formal, modern beginnings, especially cross-cultural psychology. Cross-cultural psychology existed for hundreds, if not thousands of years, in philosophical and anthropological ideas about human nature and human diversity (Jahoda and Krewer 1997). Similarly, community psychology links itself to ideas about and reforms in society’s treatment of individuals who do not fit into ‘normal’ definitions of human behavior and mental health.

  2. Importantly, from the beginning, cross-cultural psychology conferences have been international in name and location. The first international conference on community psychology was held only recently (June, 2006), in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

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Acknowledgments

The research was supported partially by a grant from the United States National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Nursing Research R01 NR08771-01A1 (9/04-5/09). We thank Mike McGlade, Maria Elena Ruiz, Marie Dahlstrom, Rebecca Hernandez, Lorraine Escribano, Brooks Fuentes, Gabriela Leon, Carina Zaragoza, Susannah María Gurule Foundation, and participating men and facilitators from Oregon batterer intervention programs for their contributions to this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Portland State University, P.O. Box 751, Portland, OR, 97207-0751, USA

    Eric S. Mankowski & Gino Galvez

  2. Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Nancy Glass

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  1. Eric S. Mankowski
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  2. Gino Galvez
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  3. Nancy Glass
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Correspondence to Eric S. Mankowski.

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Mankowski, E.S., Galvez, G. & Glass, N. Interdisciplinary Linkage of Community Psychology and Cross-Cultural Psychology: History, Values, and an Illustrative Research and Action Project on Intimate Partner Violence. Am J Community Psychol 47, 127–143 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10464-010-9377-y

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