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Community Psychology: Social Change and Justice Essay (Article)

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Hundreds of Nude Photos Jolt Colorado School

Summary

The first article was published in The New York Times on November 6, 2015 (Cloos and Turkewitz 1). This article highlighted a concern in a Colorado school where many underage students were involved in sexting. Nude photos of the students had been circulating within the student community with some phone applications being used to hide them.

The students developed methods of encouraging their colleagues to take naked photos of themselves while others collected them on their phones. The practice had been going on for many years. Local authorities and parents were surprised by the scandal that had engulfed the school because most of the individuals involved were minors.

Community Psychology Concept

The community psychology concept relevant in this case is that of social change. Sharing of new photos among the students is a relatively new trend that is catching up among the teenage population. In the social change theory, community psychologists target individuals or systems to achieve positive change (Moritsugu 16). In first-order change, the psychologists target individuals. Conversely, the second-order change involves changing the systems and structures to attain desirable goals (Moritsugu 49).

The story highlighted in the article is related to the community psychology concept of social change in several ways. First, the author states that parents should consider educating their children on the issue instead of just telling them to stop engaging in the act. This change is an example of a first-order change (Moritsugu 15). The article also highlights some of the areas that the student body needs to change including the student attitudes. Additionally, the author attempts to accomplish change in the institution by highlighting the problem and providing possible solutions. In the community psychology concept of social change, change is achieved through individual and systems (Moritsugu 48).

The issue highlighted in the article can also be understood differently using the community psychology concept. The students in this institution are under pressure from society and are influenced by the current trends (Cloos and Turkewitz 1). Additionally, the issue can be considered a community problem since many people are involved. A solution can only be found through engaging the different components of this community including the local authorities, the teachers, school directors, parents, and the students. A multi-sectored approach to the issue is also necessary, as sexting is likely to present in other institutions in the country (Cloos and Turkewitz 1).

A critique of the article using community psychology concepts shows the different factors of social change. First, the article focuses on a concept that was unimaginable a few decades ago. However, this society has adjusted slowly to nudity with the children practicing it. Consequently, the community psychology concepts of empowerment and social change are necessary to oversee change (Cloos and Turkewitz 1). A society without values is likely to disintegrate.

In the Colorado school discussed in the article, the institution’s management should put in place stringent measures that match the community change. Finally, the concept of social change is relevant in contemporary society where the community is changing at a very fast rate (Moritsugu 48). There is a need for institutions to adapt to changes as they occur and provide solutions to some of the persistent problems in society. Parents in the school have the social role of protecting their children.

2 Louisiana Officers Charged With Second-Degree Murder in Killing of Boy, 6

Summary

The second article contains the story of two Louisiana officers that were charged with the murder of a six-year-old boy (Stack 1). The story was published in The New York Time on November 6, 2015. Officers Derrick Stafford and Norris Greenhouse were charged with the murder of Jeremy Mardis that occurred while the officers were involved in a chase. According to the Louisiana state police, the child sustained multiple fatal gunshot wounds.

The details of the chase were not immediately available, but the police state that the father was also injured after the two officers in the company of two others shot at the vehicle. The small community where the shootings took place criticized the murder of the innocent boy. Besides, the local police department stated that additional charges would be raised against the officers.

Community Psychology Concept

The community psychology concept that is relevant to the article is the concept of social justice. In this concept, community psychologists attempt to make every individual in society equal and improve societal wellbeing (Moritsugu 12). Social justice demands that individuals are treated equally, without prejudice, and with respect. Besides, the concept allows for individuals in society to treat each other concerning the existing constitutional rights (Moritsugu 2). Social justice demands that people are treated equally and incidents such as murders should not occur. This concept exists to protect society and its values. It also ensures that people interact peacefully and with respect for each person.

The concept of social justice applies in the article under discussion. First, the officers were involved in the shooting of an innocent child in a situation that did not warrant the shooting. The decision to fire at the vehicle in which this child was in remains controversial. However, the officers had a social responsibility to ensure that people are safe and protected (Stack 2). The charges levied on them indicate that the officers were ignorant of the right of the child or his father. Consequently, they were ignorant of the concept of social justice. Louisiana state police have the duty of restoring social justice by ensuring that the family gets the deserved legal justice that is a constitutional right (Stack 1).

The issue described in the article is relevant to the concept of social justice in several ways. The common application of the concept of social justice in community psychology is an even distribution of resources (Moritsugu 23). In this respect, individuals in society get what is due in society. However, the application of this concept is different in the article. The case is a classic example of denial of social justice in several ways. First, the officers did not respect the rights of the child or the father. Instead, they murdered with no clear explanation in place.

A critique of the article shows that the community psychology concept of social justice is necessary for any society (Stack 1). The concept of social justice will be restored if the authorities and the judicial system provides the most appropriate sentence for the officers if found guilty of the offense. Also, the police should apologize to the family and offer support as it tries to heal from the loss of their child. The author focuses on the concept of social justice by stating that the officers deserve a harsh punishment if guilty.

Works Cited

Cloos, Kassondra, and Julie Turkewitz. “Hundreds of Nude Photos Jolt Colorado School.” The New York Times. The New York Times. 2015. Web.

Moritsugu, John, Vera Elizabeth, Wong Frank, and Duffy Karen. Community Psychology. New York: Taylor & Francis, 2014. Print.

Stack, Liam. “2 Louisiana Officers Charged With Second-Degree Murder in Killing of Boy, 6.” The New York Times. The New York Times. 2015. Web.

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IvyPanda. (2021, April 9). Community Psychology: Social Change and Justice. https://ivypanda.com/essays/community-psychology-social-change-and-justice/

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"Community Psychology: Social Change and Justice." IvyPanda, 9 Apr. 2021, ivypanda.com/essays/community-psychology-social-change-and-justice/.

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IvyPanda. (2021) 'Community Psychology: Social Change and Justice'. 9 April.

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IvyPanda. 2021. "Community Psychology: Social Change and Justice." April 9, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/community-psychology-social-change-and-justice/.

1. IvyPanda. "Community Psychology: Social Change and Justice." April 9, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/community-psychology-social-change-and-justice/.


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IvyPanda. "Community Psychology: Social Change and Justice." April 9, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/community-psychology-social-change-and-justice/.

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