Conscientisation

Define: “Conscientisation “is the process whereby people become aware of the political, socioeconomic and cultural contradictions that interact in a hegemonic way to diminish their lives.” 

Ledwith, M. (2005). Community Development. Portland: Policy Press.

Apply: An example of this a community dialogue that facilitates a discussion where individuals are engaging in critical thought about issues or direct experiences that affect the community.

Adaptation: This theory can be utilized within diversity training at a workplace. Employers can engage the employees and facilitate dialogues to encourage critical thinking and discussion around diversity issues that are prevalent at their work.

Radical community development

Definition:  Radical Community Development, “is committed to the role of community work in achieving transformative change for social and environmental justice, and develops analysis and practice which move beyond symptoms to the root causes of oppression.”

Ledwith, M. (2005). Community Development. Portland: Policy Press.

Application: An example of this is a community that has low poverty, high crime and little help from institutions to create safe spaces for children. So the community creates a traveling library and healthcare programs to engage youth.

Adaptation: Teachers and school administrators can use this theory when dealing with bullying.  They can create programs and discussion about self identity, self-love and service to increase compassion at their school.

SWOT analysis

theory- SWOT analysis

define: the concept of reviewing a communities/ organizations strengths, weaknesses, opportunites ( for growth) and threats ( both internal and external). (Phillips and Pittman)

apply- this can be used in a variety of ways including examining the strengths and weaknesses of community but it can also be a process that community members can be involved in, in order to help prioritize the needs/action of the community.

adapt: This can also be implemented in a business context when a company is considering a major decision ( i.e. expanding or merging).

spiritual ecofeminism

theory-spiritual ecofeminism

definition- this theory rejects the traditional idea of religion and instead emphasizes the connection between spirituality and  nature. i.e. yoga

apply: the community organizer could potentially use the idea to build rapport and engage the community, depending on the spiritual beliefs of the community.

adapt: the approach can also be used in holistic wellness as this is a foundation for this field.

theory of emotional labor

Theory- Emotional Labor

Definition- the idea of that it takes emotions in order to provide a service or product. For example in fields like social work or even a flight attendant (Arlie Hoschild)

Apply: this is relevant because it is a reminder that social workers must engage in self care

Adapt: this concept can be used in a negative context for careers such as marketing or bill collector. For instance exhibiting negative emotion to make a customer feel guilty enough to pay off their bill.

Performativity

Theory -Performativity

Definition- the idea that people perform their identies everyday. These performances accumulate and influence and individuals are influenced by other people. --therefore identity is fluid (Judith Butler, 1984).

Apply- The can relate in community development for the context of the developer to be aware of their identity and how they 'perform' while interacting in the community, as they are influencing others and vice versa.

Adapt: This can be applying in psychology as well, this could be something for the counselor to be aware of.

social network analysis

Theory: social network analysis

Definition: the  concept of analyzing  social structures through the use of network  and graph theories. It characterizes networked structures in terms of nodes  (individual actors, people, or things within the network) and the ties (relationships or interactions) that connect them. (Borgatti)

Apply: In community development social network analysis can help identify stakeholders and key community members when trying to build a playground in a community.  This will hopefully help you see how an individual(s) network can connect you with the people you need, through relationships

Adapt: Social network analysis can also be used in the medical field when studying the transmission of a disease.

Priming

Definition: Priming refers to enhancing the effects of the media by offering the audience a prior context – a context that will be used to interpret subsequent communication.
Scheufele, D.A. (2001). Agenda-setting, priming, and framing revisited: another look at cognitive effects of political communication. Communication abstracts, 24(1).

Application: This theory can be used in community development to engage community members about sensitive issues prior to agenda setting for a community stakeholders meeting. Community organizers use priming to facilitate effective communication during the discussion.

Adaptation: This theory can be used in a marketing study to select the messaging of an advertisement.

Knowledge Gap Theory

Definition: "The increase of information in society is not evenly acquired by every member of society: people with higher socioeconomic status tend to have better ability to acquire information. This leads to a division of two groups: a group of better-educated people who know more about most things, and those with low education who know less."
Weng, Sho-chi (2000). Mass Communication Theory and Practice. Taipei: San-ming.

Application: Organizers to can use theory when thinking about ways to target community members of different socioeconomic backgrounds. They should not just being using social media or television to connect with members in the community regrading issues that might be affecting them. Door to door canvasing and other methods should be used. 

Adaptation: Knowledge Gap theory can be used in presidential campaigns. They can utilize them to figure out what issues are important to what groups and how to advertise for votes.