I was hitting dead ends with my Condo Association when I came across Principles of Social Change. On a whim, I decided to seriously consider this book to explore how I could promote change within my Condo Association. The author simply and clearly explains how to navigate the change process and recognize band-aid solutions and small wins.
The strategies I learned about in this book helped me to steer my Condo Association in a mutually beneficial direction. I highly recommend reading this book and use it as a tool to be used in any community you might be a part of including work, neighborhood, volunteer efforts or even family life.
Principles of Social Change (Advances in Community Psychology) 1st Edition
by
Leonard A. Jason
(Author)
ISBN-13: 978-0199841851
ISBN-10: 0199841853
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The efforts of social activists and mental health professionals to institute population-level social change, such as reducing poverty, building better schools, and establishing more effective substance abuse programs, often fail. They tend to focus on individuals and not real-life community conditions; they fail to take into account stakeholders' efforts to maintain the status quo; and they do not develop concrete strategies to build coalitions to alter policies. These unsuccessful attempts at change can leave citizens, community groups, and healthcare professionals feeling dispirited and overwhelmed.
Principles of Social Change is written for those who are impassioned and driven by social justice issues in their communities and seek practical solutions. Leonard A. Jason, a leading community psychologist, demonstrates how social change can be accomplished and fostered by observing five key principles: (1) determine the nature of the change desired, (2) identify who holds the power, (3) create coalitions, (4) be patient but persistent, and (5) measure your success. Describing these principles through first-hand accounts of the experiences of people who have worked on a range of social justice issues, Jason gives unique insight and presents a comprehensive approach toward the development of social and community interventions, such as protecting the well-being of children, providing affordable housing, combating abuses of power, and cleaning up the environment. Principles of Social Change provides answers about what citizens and community action groups can do in collaboration with
healthcare professionals to address these seemingly intractable problems. It is essential reading for community psychologists, social activists, policy makers, and students and trainees in these fields.
Principles of Social Change is written for those who are impassioned and driven by social justice issues in their communities and seek practical solutions. Leonard A. Jason, a leading community psychologist, demonstrates how social change can be accomplished and fostered by observing five key principles: (1) determine the nature of the change desired, (2) identify who holds the power, (3) create coalitions, (4) be patient but persistent, and (5) measure your success. Describing these principles through first-hand accounts of the experiences of people who have worked on a range of social justice issues, Jason gives unique insight and presents a comprehensive approach toward the development of social and community interventions, such as protecting the well-being of children, providing affordable housing, combating abuses of power, and cleaning up the environment. Principles of Social Change provides answers about what citizens and community action groups can do in collaboration with
healthcare professionals to address these seemingly intractable problems. It is essential reading for community psychologists, social activists, policy makers, and students and trainees in these fields.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"Jason shares with us his life-long journey to empirically address and reduce negative social forces. He presents his own cogent insights as well as the wisdom of others. The book gives us concrete steps, hope, and a resolve to redress social injustices while we aspire for a more coherent and just world." -- James G. Kelly, Emeritus Professor of Psychology, University of Illinois at Chicago
"Principles of Social Change represents a unique melding of the author's four-decade personal journey and broadly applicable principles of social change. Replete with and smoothly integrating a wealth of examples from both Dr. Jason's own multifaceted community-based research and social activism throughout history, the book demonstrates the applicability and power of five crucial principles of change, as well as obstacles that may arise and ways to stay the course in spite of them. Principles of Social Change is highly readable, engaging, and essential knowledge for those seeking to effect meaningful change." -- David Glenwick, PhD, Professor of Psychology, Fordham University
"A view into the processes of an American community psychologist of the first rank. What one finds is a caring and focused scientist and activist who translates his skills into real life results. Feisty, engaging, and insightful." -- John Moritsugu, PhD, Professor of Psychology, Pacific Lutheran University
"In Principles of Social Change, readers will find inspiration in the life of Dr. Leonard Jason, an individual who charted a course from political to academic activism, who overcame significant health obstacles, and who has remained singularly dedicated to social justice. Readers will enjoy learning how the field of community psychology (a field built on second-order change) came to be, as well as how small-scale efforts can serve as inspiration for major policy initiatives. This book will prove especially useful for academics who long to effect social change beyond publications. No matter the background of the reader, the rubric for social change has been laid out-it is up to us to follow it." -- Neetu Abad, PhD, Journal of Groups in Addiction & Recovery
"The style is highly discursive, and thus readily accessible to undergraduate students or community activists who might be uncomfortable with the methodological detail and statistical shorthand found in our journals. Graduate students will benefit from the wealth of back-stage detail presented concerning perhaps a half-dozen major success stories in which Professor Jason played an important role, and which are mentioned multiple times throughout the book in conjunction with several of the five principles." -- Steven R. Howe, Ph.D., Journal of Community Psychology
"Principles of Social Change is more than an excellent text on social change, it allows us into the thinking and world of Len Jason. The reader can't help but be moved by the author's contributions. Len's passion and doggedness are remarkable, as is his focus and commitment. These are traits too rarely seen in the academic pursuit of social change. His description of the requirements for excellence as a change agent is also wonderful: he notes that these folks will need passion, intuitiveness, endurance, and understanding of principles of social change. He explains that social change agents will endure many assaults and must have 'dogged optimism, community support and spiritual beliefs as a shield.' Len Jason clearly has all of this and more." -- Tom Wolff, Global Journal of Community Psychology
"Jason is making the argument for community psychology and contextualised community research and action. The arguments that he makes are not only profound but reflect the importance of the potential of the contributions of a community-based psychology." -- Brian Bishop, Curtin University Australia, The Australian Community Psychologist
"... it is informative and well written... Students of community development and activism will appreciate the author's insights as well as the reflective style of writing... There is a good bibliography as well as chapter endnotes. Summing Up: Recommended. General readers and lower-division undergraduate students." -- A. A. Hickey, Western Carolina University, CHOICE
"It will come as no surprise to anyone who knows Professor Jason, or who knows much about community psychology, or who takes the title of the book seriously, that he advocates for interventions at the system level rather than at the level of the individual, and that the best approach to accomplishing system change is to use a collaborative process that engages the community of persons who are affected by the problems.
The book is unusual for the wide range of audiences who might find it helpful. The style is highly discursive, and thus readily accessible to undergraduate students or community
activists who might be uncomfortable with the methodological detail and statistical shorthand found in our journals.
Thus, one great strength of the book is its appeal to multiple audiences, both in community psychology and in related fields." -- Guest Reviewer Steven R. Howe, University of Cincinnati, The Community Psychologist
About the Author
Leonard A. Jason, PhD, is Professor of Psychology and Director of the Center for Community Research at DePaul University. Dr. Jason has investigated topics such as the prevention of alcohol and substance use disorders within recovery homes, youth tobacco prevention programs, school-based preventive interventions, and the prevalence and treatment of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. He has received more than $26 million in federal grants and published 575 articles, 77 book chapters, and 23 books.
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Product details
- Publisher : Oxford University Press; 1st edition (January 21, 2013)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 186 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0199841853
- ISBN-13 : 978-0199841851
- Item Weight : 9.9 ounces
- Dimensions : 9.28 x 6.14 x 0.56 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #2,200,761 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #685 in Clinical Psychology (Books)
- #4,029 in Medical Clinical Psychology
- #117,696 in Social Sciences (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 3, 2013
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5.0 out of 5 stars
An in-depth understanding of the research process and methods - for researchers and especially for consumers of research
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 18, 2013
Choosing a researcher and understanding what to expect has been difficult for many of our health and community groups. It is too common to learn afterward that goals, collaboration expectations, and methods are mismatched. Finally, a book that proposes that it is possible for a researcher to be both an advocate and objective, that illustrates a toolbox of methods organizations and researchers might consider to fit varous situations. Our community groups will greatly benefit by reading this book before undertaking research. The Illinos Self-Help Coalition
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Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 12, 2014
In Principles of Social Change, Leonard Jason, a professor of community psychology at DePaul University, details his long career working to solve problems in communities. The book is an inspiring account that offers practical advice for activists.
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